This Modern Man Is Beat

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 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 dramatic short film featuring professional cinematography and visuals. The narrative was intriguing, with a shocking plot twist at the end. I did anticipate the plot twist correctly within the first few minutes of the film, but was satisfied with the narrative, nonetheless. I do feel as if some of the dialogue and pauses between scenes were a tad awkward or artificial - the main character, Habib bin Habin al Fulan, often spoke too little or too long. Upon exiting the motel in the first half of the movie, the camerawork showed several angles to view Habib and his surroundings with, including a dog laying on the other side of the road. The lengthy shots suggested something significant or dramatic would occur, perhaps with the dog or the area Habib was in, but nothing of note happened besides the transition to the next location. The story itself was compelling, though it lacked the backstory that I felt was necessary to truly appreciate the film. Overall, I would rate this as a quality film with a lot of room for an expanded story. Much potential for a longer, more intricate adaptation.

This Modern Man Beat is a powerful short film that explores themes of modern masculinity, identity, and emotional isolation. Through minimalist storytelling and stunning cinematography, it creates a raw portrait of a man struggling to find his place in an increasingly disconnected world. The lead performance is powerful and captures the character's inner turmoil in just a few words, and the film's visuals effectively reinforce the themes of loneliness and internal conflict. Although the pacing feels slow at times, the film's emotional impact lingers long after viewing. This is an interesting and thought-provoking piece to reflect on the pressures of modern life. Film fans are treated to a thought provoking and visual experience.

"Exploring contemporary manhood and profound existential doubts, 'This Modern Man Is Beat' offers a gripping story. Its starkly minimalist style coupled with evocative filmmaking fashion an eerie environment for the main character's reflective quest. Characters navigate their identities, feelings of isolation, and outside pressures in a highly realistic manner. Guided by Director Alex Merkin's command, it weaves together insightful narratives that linger long after viewing end credits roll up on screen.

In its short duration run-time spans out enough to allow viewers space to delve into themes around our existence and self-awareness journey."