#LookAtMe (2022) ‘NYAFF’ evaluation: An empathetic drama that discusses the problem of human rights
#LookAtMe is a 2022 Singaporean movie directed by Ken Kwek. Written along with Shane Mardjuki, he tackles the topic of human rights with an empathetic strategy. We comply with the story of dual brothers who undergo an emotional turmoil, primarily because of being true to themselves and who they’re, which doesn’t sit effectively with the authorities and people answerable for the cultural route the place is transferring. Till then, they dwell fortunately ever after with their single mom and barely have hassle being their playful and carefree selves. It stays fixed till an incident happens that places them in a scenario they may hardly have foreseen.
The characters of each brothers are performed by Yao (previously often known as Thomas Peng), who is understood for his earlier efficiency in a characteristic movie referred to as Tiong Bahru Social Membership. The narrative follows his character (Sean Marzuki) who stands up for his homosexual brother (Ricky Marzuki) after a hate speech by which a preferred televangelist and pastor (performed by Adrian Pang) demonizes homosexuality. As a YouTuber who till then was making an attempt to achieve fame and recognition, Sean decides to make use of his YouTube channel to talk out in opposition to this dangerous preacher. He posts a scathing video criticizing this well-liked character and his angle. Whereas he goes viral as he at all times needed to be as a vlogger, it places him in a horrible scenario with the legislation and lands him behind bars.
Via its central pair of characters, #LookAtMe tries to make clear the conservative look in the direction of the rights of the LGBTQIA+ group. The straight man who stands up for his brother, not simply out of affection and care, but in addition out of a way of alliance, is subjected to the pains of a prison with a heinous crime. He undergoes these trials and tribulations because of his ideas and never due to any violent acts like the opposite criminals within the jail. This emotional battle on the core of the movie makes it an emotionally potent drama that hinges on the component of willingness to face for one thing that issues greater than your self.
Together with his arrest, what begins as a private vendetta in opposition to him turns into a significant concern all through the area, igniting a way of allied group amongst a number of residents and beginning a motion for human rights. His mom (performed by Pam Oei) and brother work to get justice for him, and their wrestle creates a gut-wrenching drama about somebody of their disheartening scenario. On this wrestle, the mom’s character by no means tries to speak her sons again from dealing with these points and stays steadfast as a pillar of assist – which looks like a refreshing change from the narratives of conservative, disapproving dad and mom. Her empathy and openness comes from a real place of understanding relatively than pity, making it an admirable sight to absorb for all of us.
Director Ken Kwek fuses parts of naturalism with dramatization that comes via within the hard-hitting sequences contained in the jail. Whereas the digicam stays reasonably removed from the characters in a lot of the photographs, it comes uncomfortably shut in a number of photographs from the jail, the place the lengthy lenses typically heighten the affect of the conditions unfolding in these scenes. Sean’s character’s way of thinking is conveyed via such inventive selections, the place the dim lighting, as a result of it’s set in a restricted house with restricted mild, creates a stark distinction to the freshly lit pure exterior. Whereas this achieves the specified results of rising the minutiae inside, it additionally breaks the continuity of what we witness occurring on display screen all through the movie.
Via private narratives, #LookAtMe turns into an admirable work that doesn’t draw back from taking a stand. Whereas it’s definitely a courageous try with plenty of coronary heart, the intent derails from being about rights per se to being a revenge drama because the narrative progresses. Consequently, it dulls its affect because it progresses in the direction of the tip, regardless of being soul-crushing in depicting the cruel realities of those people. Whereas the movie has an opportunity to make an even bigger assertion, it finally ends up being a reactionary piece that dulls its general affect.