(Aug 25, 2022 ● Oslin Pierrette)
Spoilers Ahead
I feel like I’m realizing I’m a fan of a good revenge story, but this was more on the ambiguous side. It was still packed with tension, but the motive remains unclear and left for speculation. We all would’ve loved to get that resolution of why. Him actually admitting that he did send those tapes, but maybe it’s left to speculate, to force you to question what may seem unsolvable. But if you stop hiding from yourself, those answers become apparently clear.
George is this affluent kid. He lives in a nice estate, with both parents. Why does he get to live like that? It just is that way. Then you see Majid born into a working family, less fortunate. Then his parents later get killed at a massacre. Why is he left with that? It just is. You can’t ask for a certain situation. Whatever you’re blessed or cursed with, just is.
When George’s parents adopt Majid. Majid’s pain disrupts George’s lifestyle. George does what he has to do, to reset things back to the way they are. It’s not very considerate to Majid’s situation, but that just speaks to the broader convo of classism. Creating comfort and luxury for the affluent people. And the expense of that being, “Lower class” people’s lives and livelihood being destroyed and disrupted. Like you see war and terror going on for less fortunate humans, being watched from the comfort of an affluent home. Within that reason for why that happens. Is where you can find the reason for why Majid or whoever does what he or they do. And also within that, you’ll find why George and affluent people would hide their past.
Basically it’s all about perspective. What perspective did you see or hear? If you let George tell the story. You would like the guy who works with him. Feel sympathy for George’s situation. If you were to hear out Majid and his family. Maybe you wouldn’t be too fond of George and understand the reason for this tormenting. With that maybe is the tactic of why we didn’t receive the clear answer of the truth. What you feel, and who you sympathize for is your truth.
That scene where Majid slits his throat and kills himself, was a substantial scene. It was like I want you to look at what you did. That’s definitely Majid’s son’s point of view. The less fortunate. Look at what affluent people did. Destroy a man’s livelihood to the point they don’t want to live it. And then what was George and the affluent people’s reaction? The problem is all cleaned up now. Now you can be free. To go back in hiding, free conscience. To maybe even go casually watch a movie. Just label them sick and move on. Not even sympathize the situation they lived through. Even if they were a part of the cause of the situation. They don’t want to live with that. Just try to act like it’s normal, and not feel and deflect their accountability of the situation. Even when Anne was starting to question why Majid would do something like this. She would validate that someone is hurting. Had to deal with a rough life, and George does his best to present that he is not a part of the reason. It’s just life, It’s normal. Of course from George’s perspective, it would be. He has the privilege and the luxurious comfort to say that.
This movie did such a great job of perspective and camera work. You sometimes didn’t know if it was just another camera shot, or a recording of someone. Gives you this “are you being watched,” feel, a precedent set with the first scene. When you try to bury your secrets and actions in the dark. What if that was uncovered into the light for others to watch, and hiding wasn’t an option. It’s in the light to feel and deal with now.
Masterful writing and execution of a story. Great performances put on. Amazing camera work and concept. Great themes and conversations were posed. I really liked this.