A Review of ‘Anwar’: A thought-provoking science fiction short about a long Earthly life
A non-aging mother tries to convince her doubting son to undergo the same transformation.
‘Anwar’: A thought-provoking science fiction short about a long Earthly life
Cast: Kerry Bishe, Leo Etemadi, Saif Haj, Garland Scott, Ammar Haj Ahmad, Jay Abdo
Critic’s Rating: 4 Stars out of 5
Director: Fawaz Al-Matrouk
Duration: 18 minutes
Genre: Sci-fi, Drama
Language: English
Release: 2024
What’s it about?
A non-aging mother tries to convince her doubting son to undergo the same transformation.
Review:
Anwar is an absorbing Sci-Fi short which also works as a compelling human drama. Showing the relationship of a mother and son, it tackles themes of death, immortality, personal identity and the soul. This the film does by setting its premise in a futuristic society which could paradoxically serve as both a utopia and a dystopia. Here, one can choose to lead a normal aging life or opt for an existence that can be preserved without decay or the threat of mortality. Narrated with mesmerising cinematography, credible acting and low-key but impressive production design, this film bravely asks questions about the essence of life.
Anwar begins with the titular character as a curious pre-pubescent (Leo Etemadi), grilling his affectionate mother (Kerry Bishe) with questions about what happens when people die and where they go. Interestingly, Anwar’s Mom expresses no doubt in replying that “nothing happens” and that dead people “don’t go anywhere”. We learn in the course of this conversation that she chose to live forever and was accordingly placed into a “new body”. Then, the woman introduces her little son to a luminous globe in which they can relive memories of Anwar’s dead father (Ammar Haj Ahmad). Knowledge garnered from the object leads to the boy turning resentful of his mother’s decision.
As Anwar grows normally and is on the cusp of adulthood (Saif Haj), his mother’s pleas for him to choose eternal life get louder and more desperate. But with his strong “faith” guiding him, he repeatedly turns down her requests. This leads to an escape attempt and a violent altercation. The audience gets to learn more about this peculiar Earth from a mysterious third person (Garland Scott) who shows up to discuss the mother’s dilemma and the necessity for more renewed, able-bodied and mentally-sharp humans. But when this transformation happens, is there a shedding of the concerned person’s original essence?
The film’s third and final act dishes out an intriguing surprise, which in turn leads to a poignant end. This it does by posing the question whether a person is ready to leave their loved ones in the pursuit of their natural spiritual journey. In so doing, will they fulfil their quest to enter “heaven”? Also, the film’s conclusion throws open for discussion whether all the knowledge and technological advancements in the universe can substitute for a simple, well-lived life and a normal human death.
While the premise of this film is quite original, movie-buffs might momentarily remember such flicks as The Stepford Wives (1975, 2004), Total Recall (1990, 2012), The Bucket List (2007), Interstellar (2014), and Downsizing (2017). After all, these films deal with the notion of the individual’s sense of identity and how much of the same can be stripped off, manipulated or assimilated when fate, circumstance or technology intervene. Plus, the film’s employment of different actors portraying the same character is done so in a convincing and moving manner as we follow this Earthling on his journey. Does the excitement of reaching the Unknown make the voyage of life worthwhile? That’s a thought that this film’s writer-director Fawaz Al-Matrouk challenges the viewer to consider long after the credits have rolled.
