In the near future a mother has chosen eternal life while her son is not so sure that is for him.
Written and directed by Fawaz Al-Matrouk, this futuristic family drama is one that tackles interesting themes, like life and death and what comes after, in an entertaining way. The film here is written to have both sides of the coin showcased well between the mother and son, the two main characters who get the bulk of the screen time. The ethical aspect of things is grazed over a little but not fully explored which is something that could lead into a feature length film. Here, the story is short and concise, makes some points, doesn’t take too long to make them, and moves on towards a somewhat satisfying ending.
The film’s cast here is led by Kerry Bishé as the mother and a group of actors as the son, the titular Anwar. Bishé gives a calculated performance, one that shows very little emotions and works in the nuances of subtlety as her character is perhaps not fully human anymore. Playing Anwar, Leo Etemadi (8-year-old Anwar) is adorable, Saif Haj (18-year-old Anwar) gives the character more personality, and Jay Abdo (80-year-old Anwar) gives the character more gravitas and a sense of “full life”. The cast here is clearly talented and gives solid performances, in particular those playing Anwar.
The film here looks amazing, the images are carefully crafted, and the lighting highlights the right elements and allows the characters and the actors’ work to be seen clearly. The work by Chloe Weaver is fantastic. The images are framed right, shot right, light just right, showcasing a care for the craft and elevating each scene one by one by allowing it to have its needs met. The music by Leah Curtis is also just right for the film. It underscores the images and the emotions without dictating them.
Anwar is a solid futuristic drama about life, death, and comes after. There is a lot in here and possibly could be expended upon to a feature if done the right way. The film gives a lot to think about and stays with you long after the credits roll. The film is well written, well directed, has solid acting, great cinematography, and just the right music for its story. It all comes together just right and (besides from the glowy-dad moment) is practically pitch perfect.
