Working Man Review

Working Man is 2021 short film directed by Bishal Swargiary.

Working Man transports the viewer to a world that seems so different from our own one would be hard pressed to believe it even exists anymore in the year 2021, but it does so with an uncompromising view for better and worse.

From an aesthetics standpoint, this short instantly gives us a sense of location. This shack in India is something many of us will never see in person, and yet here it is in this modern age, seeming like an impossibility.

It is this in-depth look at the routine of a farmhand that the film shines the most. It is a powerful way to start the film and to give us a great context. However, in that same breath actually getting past the morning routine, which is interesting to see, is still a touch dull.

The real meat of the film comes in seeing the work that is done in the fields, which is captured beautifully, all of it from a modern phone too. It is always great to see work pushing past technological limitations, and this is a strong case for the power that filming on a phone has.

The composition in the piece from Aleksandr Shamaliev has varied, rich instrumentation, but almost feels reserved for something different. It is a touch heavy handed given the visuals on screen, and it would have been more effective to keep a more naturalistic sound scape for the piece. It would have helped engaged the viewer more to feel the environment our protagonist is in, to better empathize with the struggle.

The film Working Man wins over a strong sense of environment very early on, giving us an interesting world. The film may not build past what is a surface level day for a farmhand, but it is an interesting short, nonetheless.

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Cheers!

Daniel Hess

Film Festival and Award Highlights:

Europe Film Festival – Best Short Mobile Film                              First Time Filmmaker Sessions

Port Blair International Film Festival – Best Director for Mobile Short Film

Kolkata International Micro Film Festival – Best Micro Film (Runner Up)

Khamrubu International Short Film Festival – Best Mobile Short Film

Monthly Indie Shorts – Best Mobile Phone Short Film

The Lift Off Sessions                                                               Montreal Independent Film Festival

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