This Modern Man Is Beat

This 17-minute-long film is enough to see the devastation that the main character, a foreigner called Habid, suffers due to lack of money to pay for the rent of the motel where he lives with his wife. The contrast between their tender happy moments of the past and the present tough ones that they go through comes to the foreground by a very good use of light. The loneliness and emptiness that the quiet desert portraits work as a backdrop of this man's lack of multiples resources to bring their lives back to normalcy. Unable to control his wife in one of her hysterical outbursts of anger and rage, he goes to the extreme of taking her life. He is too blind and desperate to see that there is always hope and a way out for people's helplessness. He returns to the pawn shop ready to accept whatever is offered for his guitar. To his surprise, the owner of the shop tells him that at that moment he is in luck because now his guitar is worth more money. Moreover, he is also given a job vacancy form to fill in. However, now it is too late. A police officer opens the door and aims his gun at him. With very little action involved, this short film highlights a bunch of feelings and emotions that ultimately convey what human beings are subjected to when torn by extreme situations.

"This Modern Man is Beat" is a masterful short film that brilliantly encapsulates the complexity of identity, culture, and personal struggle in a mere 17 minutes. The film, directed by Alex Merkin, is an evocative piece of storytelling that resonates deeply, leaving a lasting impression on its viewers.

From the outset, the film immerses you in a gritty, atmospheric world that feels both familiar and intriguingly foreign. The cinematography is exceptional, capturing the raw emotion and tension of the protagonist's journey with a keen eye for detail. Each frame is meticulously crafted, creating a visual narrative that is as compelling as the story itself.

The short film "This Modern Man Is Beat," directed by Alex Merkin, takes audiences on a journey that explores the complex layers of modern identity. The main character, goes on an unforeseen adventure while visiting a strip club, where he meets people from various walks of life. Merkin explores cultural themes and uses self-aware visuals to look into issues of heritage, masculinity, and personal introspection in the vibrant setting of Los Angeles. The film's aesthetic/ imagery contribute to its raw and quiet atmosphere, creating a sense of introspection and reflection."This Modern Man Is Beat" provides a thought-provoking examination of identity in a society that is struggling with its own disagreements and brief moments of understanding.

Through a fragmented narrative and striking cinematography, the film plunges viewers into the turbulent psyche of its protagonist as he navigates the complexities of modern life. The performances, particularly by the lead actor, are raw and emotionally resonant, pulling audiences into the heart of his existential struggle.

However, the film's nonlinear structure and abstract storytelling may be off-putting for some viewers, requiring patience and open-mindedness to fully appreciate its depth. While the ambiguity of certain scenes adds to the film's enigmatic charm, it also risks leaving audiences feeling disconnected or bewildered.

Despite its challenges, "This Modern Man Is Beat" rewards those willing to immerse themselves in its introspective journey with thought-provoking insights into the human condition and the search for meaning in a world fraught with uncertainty.

This Modern Man is Beat is in many respects a fantastic short film. Though many of the characters are understandably somewhat one-note given its short length, both its central protagonist Habib and his wife receive a significant amount of development, and the dismal and desperate mental state of the former throughout comes across very well in the writing and acting.

The sets are also of sterling quality, with strong contrasts of light and dark dividing the past and the present. The film's foreshadowing is top-notch, as small, intermittently introduced details combine to form a grander picture, subtle enough to clue one in without giving away its true premise until the end.

That said, for all its high points the film does have its share of foibles, as the cold open in the pawn shop leaves little time to establish the gravity of Habib selling his guitar, and Habib himself is a little too eager to spill his whole life's story at the drop of a hat. The film is also prone to shots that occasionally come off as awkward and even slightly comical, which can undercuts the tension somewhat.

The film's cold open combined with its short length are generally what hurt the film the most though, as the extremely dramatic, dolorous music, the slow pace of dialogue and perhaps overly impassioned delivery of the main actor can appear almost to be self-parody at moments given the emotional attachment they expect the viewer to have for a character they've known only fifteen or so minutes.

Overall, the film is very competent and moving but occasionally considers itself more emotional than it is, and undermines itself in the process.