WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
WATCH THE FILM HERE with all proceeds going to the filmmakers!
First, the Recap:
The undue pressure of scrutiny. No one should say they truly enjoy being assessed, judged, or otherwise investigated, more so when it arrives through one’s own family or friends. Giving the sense of not measuring up, falling short, almost to the point of paranoia, it’s a ruthless taskmaster to find yourself under. The lasting impact it all might have on someone can likewise be either a learning experience and chance to grow, or a crippling punch to the soul. Fahad would go abour his day as any other normal person were it not for the spectre of a severely strict father looming over him. Every moment that passes, it becomes more and more evident to him that what he feels could spell utter disaster for his life, not just in the present, but possibly forever.
Next, my Mind:
It’s a hard actuality that’s portrayed with unflinching and sobering forcefulness throughout this 11-minute dramatic short from writer/director Faisal Alamer which screened during the 2020 Berlin Revolution Film Festival. Tackling with convincing potency aspects of personal worth, the weight of criticism, the shadow of recriminations and perceptions of overbearing expectation, along with cultural rebellion through breaking the status quo, the narrative focused on one young man’s slow decent into hopelessness and potentially worse is a wake-up call to us as human being and how we relate to each other, especially when it is the eyes of family upon us.
As the project’s title very aptly suggests, it is deftly illustrating the concept of being a rat trapped in a maze that seems to have no exit, and therefore by default no inkling of a resolution or means of redemption. The journey takes heavily surreal turns as Fahad finds himself encountering stranger and stranger situations that also cause his already present agitation to grow and grow, soon making him take drastic measures to stand out amongst what would seem to be “the norm”. Yet, in doing so, it draws both praise and further criticism, and the topsy-turvy reality he’s existing in soon takes on an even more disparaging tone and manner for him, perhaps too much to bear.
There is the facing down of what you fear that also comes into play here, and this might be the outlet for Fahad to get out from under the sheer magnitude of expectations, being apart, being controlled, even as he lashes out at what’s tormented him for so long, mainly representing the primary source of pain it all stems from. Yet as the film finds its finale, whether this moment of absolute, raging release actually aids Fahad or further damages him is what then rises to the forefront, and it does make for an wincingly impactful conclusion that definitely sticks with you. It begs the question–are we able to kill our fears or does it spell our own demise to do so?
The lead actor, whose name I was unable to obtain from the film’s credits or IMDb page, delivers quite an emotionally-charged performance in the role of Fahad, a man simply trying to live his life and find his way in it, yet is constantly beleaguered by the stain of familial and subsequently societal constraint that his path becomes erratic and filled with decisions that may or may not be his undoing. Trying to see himself as more than the proverbial rat, the quest to find solace yields few positive results and even as he chooses to take a bold step in a direction that could set him free, circumstances could have other plans. It’s a powerful performance to embody someone taking on such overt inner turmoil, and the actor does a fantastic job doing so, with high believability.
There are many supporting appearances here as well, but again, without being able to officially ascertain the names involved, I can only say that everyone does their part admirably and fully supports the intent of the film. So, in total, “The Rat” gives us a glimpse into an unsettled world where all the presumptions and predictions placed on one’s life can lead to disaster instead of learned challenge and ultimate fulfillment. May we all strive to not find ourselves in such stormy seas, but aim to find that means by which to cast aside those shadowy ghosts of fear and stride confidently into the light.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
