WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Categorization. Mindset. Skillset. Ability to adapt. To be deemed a worthy option. So much of this can be applied to the always “fun” experience that is job interviewing. Attempting to put your best foot forward, it can still become a MUCH larger challenge to persuade one’s potential new employers that any and all qualifications you bring will actually be sufficient for what they’re looking for–especially when you’re looking to be hired as–a terrorist?? It is the dubious position of government agents Willy (David Rosenberg) and Billie (Elizabeth Bell) to screen and select the ideal candidates to become part of funded terrorism, even as every possible employment faux pas seems to arise through their line of questioning. How much more will it stick out when one utterly hapless and innocently unaware contender named Muhammad Ali (Keshav Moodliar) comes to the interview table–much to his building disbelief and dismay.
Next, my Mind:
Being completely transparent, especially during this current day and age where political and social upheaval seems at a breaking/exploding point, presenting a film that even tackles the subject of terrorism in any way other than one hundred percent serious would to many seem unthinkable in so many respects. After all, there is NOT anything jovial about the nature of it or the life-shattering impact it has on those who’ve experienced it. Yet, once again, leave it to the indie film community to feasibly discover the means by which to address such a harsh subject manner and deliver it with absolutely relevant, tangibly relatable, and with biting, darkly satiric, dare I even say light-hearted, wry wit and intelligence in order to make a valid point about just how scarily real it is when it could be revealed just how much governments might be involved IN funding these individuals–or at least what it might LOOK like if such actions were occurring. Such, in my humble opinion anyway, was the case with this smartly executed, beautifully entertaining, briskly paced 8-minute short from writer/director/executive producer/editor Rafeh Mahmud.
Teaming up with producers/executive producers Ali Keller and Nick Gammon along with additional executive producers Ahad Lakhani and Ellis Hubschman (the latter whom also served as cinematographer here), we are entreated to a strangely unnerving yet totally hilarious perspective about the aforementioned thematic foundation that delves into everything that really SHOULDN’T happen during a typical job interview process through showcasing stereotyping, compensation scales based on “success”, racial, religious, gender, skillset, and other forms of blatant discrimination and profiling, as well as pointed stabs at the “system” and the overtly bureaucratic mess government operations are, though I felt this could also very much apply to corporate America as well. However, what really gives the film it’s punch is all of this being explored through the eyes of the final applicant we are privy to–a NON-Muslim, fully normal, unassuming Middle Eastern man who gets a LOT more than he bargained for in choosing to apply. This alone brings about the underlying concept of judgment based on ethnicity that’s been seen in the real world, and how it’s portrayed here really speaks volumes of radical truth even as it provides a sea of humorous moments to relish.
Additionally, the other primary points I took from these particular segments involving him is that not only is he victimized by undeniably obvious “classification”, but also that it paints that illustration of even being looked at as almost something OTHER than a human being, which is an attitude and pattern of thinking that has likewise made its presence FAR too known in this contemporary world we’re residing in now. Much less does it then emphasize the fact that with enough badgering leading to a beleaguered state of being–do we honestly allow these poisonous notions to end up causing our sense of self to be manipulated to an extent where we find suddenly discover a juncture to possibly betray our own principals and creeds under the “pressure” of damaging viewpoints? Again, most of this is ultimately played for that purposeful level of humor, as is the whole idea of the facets of what these entry level terrorist candidates need to possess and be capable of, but there’s no getting past the serious, grounded realism here. It’s bold, clever, insightful, and engaging filmmaking all around for me. Pair the magnificently shot imagery and equally brilliant placing of comedic sound effects with the bouncy, highly apropos music score and we have the total package.
As with any comedy effort, timing and overall delivery is everything when it comes to the actors involved and here we are treated to a plethora of perfectly cast thespians to bring this blissfully, enthusiastically and playfully derisive narrative to guffaw-inducing life. It starts with the tandem of Rosenberg and Bell who positively shine with jocularity in their respective roles as Willy and Billie, the government representatives who go willy nilly with a job interview process seeking out entry level terrorists. Armed with a consummate mix of stuffed shirt arrogance, entirely non-politically correct lines of questioning, and downright riotous overall outlooks on events, the pair rummage through several candidates with all the subtlety of an atom bomb to ideally find those suited to the task of mayhem. It’s the combination of dry humor and outright silliness that makes the characters such a hoot to watch and listen to, with Rosenberg and Bell simply milking every single moment via the intentionally over-the-top performances that are a stitch to take in.
Then we have a thoroughly different humorous mode presented through the equally delightful, amusing, and hysterically understated performance by Moodliar as Muhammad Ali, a charming and highly reserved Middle Eastern man with one heck of a stack of documentation to offer his would-be employers. Upon gaining access to his spot for an interview, his pleasant, laid-back, even timid attitude and accompanying beliefs immediately fly in the face of the interviewing duo’s evidently pre-conceived notions about who Muhammad is, which only leads to Ali being suddenly more self-aware than ever before while now having to face the not-so-veiled assumptions, “accusations”, and misplaced judgements of his identity. It’s comedic magic on awesome display here, as Moodliar deftly navigates the deliberate awkwardness his character is confronting with a soft-spoken, indisputably deadpan delivery that only makes the whole situation more funny to see unfold via even the smallest voice inflection and facial expressions performed. Just awesome.
Primary supporting roles arrived from Annalisa Chamberlin and Patrick Heraghty as Katy and Gary, two of the other applicants vying for a–coveted(??)–spot on the terrorist roster, each also providing plenty of chuckles through their respective character’s hang-ups, confidence, and lack of certain skills required for the job, their lines brought to full effect thanks again to excellent comedic timing and expressive orations. Therefore, in total, “In Defense of Civil Society” for this critic is a unrestrictedly pertinent, albeit as mentioned before darkly so, piece of filmmaking that shares frighteningly applicable political views and suppositions that reflect our modern world, but does so not at ALL to SUPPORT terrorism or people getting involved with it, but rather to make a point that with all the turmoil happening right now, maybe it’s time we take a harder reality check when it comes to hate, discrimination, unrest, and violence being solutions to it all, much less that it COULD cause people to question themselves and their own ideologies in very unhealthy ways. To seek out understanding, better avenues to sort out differences, and ways to UNITE us rather than divide and encourage more anarchy–THAT would be a civil society to get behind and defend.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
