NO TRAILER CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
First, the Recap:
Vying for position and perceived acceptance. In certain manner, competition appears inherent between human beings. While able to be accomplished in healthy, even fun, ways, it unfortunately tends to lead to sense of inadequacy and envy, a road to further turmoil, inward or otherwise. Yet, is there any chance that this brewing contention might actually end up in a place of healing instead of hurt? Two brothers–younger Simo (Basel El Rayes) and older sibling Emad (Seif El Rayes)–more than share this constantly simmering unsettledness in their daily interactions, especially from Simo’s viewpoint. Wanting to show his brother he’s just as adept in things, Simo makes a daring but unwise choice one night that will have unanticipated consequences for not just their brotherly bond, but for their entire family.
Next, my Mind:
With its significantly formidable foundational but purposeful, totally relevant overall tone, this Oscar qualifying 24-minute short film from writer/director/editor Aziz Zoromba and producer Rosalie Chicoine Perreault pairs its foray into the combustible realm of familial dynamics and self-critical attitudes with the sobering reality of misguided assumption and perception, doing so via excellent execution and an ultimately beautiful life lesson that should speak deeply to our contemporary times. For me, it becomes another effort that I classify as a “necessary” film, one that speaks its socially aware statements, wears the depth of the intended emotional connection associated with said messages in its sleeve unapologetically, and honestly should initiate plenty of further examination and discourse about our world and what impacts it.
Following a narrative that sees two brothers, the younger of whom battles ongoing feelings of jealousy and the need to prove himself to his older, more “successful” sibling, end up in a tangled and possibly threatening situation that will test not only their brotherly relationship, but the atmosphere of their entire family, the film’s pacing is deftly presented, constantly on the move, never slowing down even in more “calm” sequences as the tensions rise and a choice is made that firmly cements the story’s concepts in the viewer’s mind while showcasing just how precarious our reality is thanks to people being connected across the world through the internet, online gaming, and webcams. It’s what provides the film its teeth, allowing us to travel beyond just the two bothers’ strife and apply what we witness to the world at large, pushing us to take a harder look at just how damaging letting strangers into our personal spaces CAN be, hazardous even, when utterly unintended as the film depicts here.
But as stated above, it is ALL about WHAT people see and HOW they choose to often, admittedly in error more times than we might care to admit, automatically assume the worst or think they KNOW what something is without actually taking the time to logically research or discover the truth. This is where the film does an equally amazing job at exploring other highly important thematic elements like envy, stereotyping, judging, hate, ego-driven, presumptuous, and/or hurried decision making without fully considering the potential outcome, much less what could be the lasting aftermath of it all. Yet, here is likewise where this narrative hits hard in that its notions of forgiveness, reconciliation, newfound respect, and genuine bonds that overcome even the toughest of obstacles also have the opportunity to shine, very much encapsulated in the film’s stirring finale that shouts these ideas to the mountaintops and leaves you with a far better mindset and perhaps a sigh of relief given what directions the story COULD have taken in the wake of what occurs.
The visuals here, as with so many films on this level, are smoothly shot, crisp, and clear as this critic would expect. However, what I am wanting to point out is specifically HOW effectively a KEY instance that will then dictate the rest of the film’s trajectory was carried out, delivered through a wonderfully placed camera shot that rings the figurative bell in your comprehension of what is about to unfold with such adept intent. Ideally, you will see what I mean when you get the opportunity to see this film down the road. The other facet of this film that lends perfectly to its needed air of both tension and release is an intelligent bit of casting for the two brothers–by utilizing two REAL LIFE brothers to play the warring siblings. Talk about adding well-grounded realism to a story, which as I almost always point out is one of the many strengths indie cinema excels at as it is.
Here, it starts with Basel El Rayes as the title character Simo, an energetic, smart, but somewhat beleaguered young boy who doesn’t exactly like being in what he believes is the shadow of his older brother Emad. Even as their evident disharmony creates ongoing occurrences where Simo butts heads with Emad and they follow a pattern of arguing, ignoring each other, and then at least get back to recognizing each other’s existence again, a particular evening comes around where Simo decides to take a step towards showing what he is capable of performing favorably. However, his means to do this turns into much more than just the inevitable heated confrontation with Emad, and it leads to a degree of self assessment while being a severe wake-up call that will either divide the family further, or bring them together. Basel brings about an astutely performed aura of frustration, frantic need for being “seen”, and a vulnerability to the character that befits events triumphantly and credibly.
The same must also be attributed to Seif El Rayes as well through his role as older brother Emad, who we see almost from the start tends to be the one to look out for his younger bro, but in doing so also then experiences more pushback for it than sincere thanks. But, while this does not prevent Emad from even being willing to “take the fall” for certain troubles Simo gets into, it becomes more than apparent Emad tires of acting as “watchdog” all the time. In their home, while still keeping Simo at a distance after an already strained day, Emad ends up involved with another endeavor he excels at, but when circumstances cause him to not be present during some of it, he returns to find Simo having taken advantage of the moment to prove a point, but in doing so ends up causing more pain and disconcert between them given the results of Simo’s choice. Whether Emad will be able to find common ground, let alone forgiveness, remains to be seen.
It’s a fantastic turn by Seif who plays Emad with a passion that simmers with both intensity and restraint as is apropos for the moment. The primary supporting role arrives through Aladeen Tawfeek as the boy’s father, whom we can tell is rigid and strict with both boys as to their behavior, but has his own moment of what I felt was revelatory awakening in light of events that come about, and it adds a heartening facet to the character, which Tawfeek puts on display with poise and control throughout his time on screen. So, in total, “Simo” is a potent study in sibling rivalry, feelings of inadequacy, poor choices, errant discernment, and both the hurt and healing that comes from it all, a portrait of human nature and its demeanors that illustrate our faults and fulfillments in the context of the relationships we should cherish the most–family.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
