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Elias beautifully underplays Moran, the kind of guy no one really notices anyway. As his face betrays emotions, it's easy for us to root for him. As Roman, Bigliardi is amusingly dubious about this plan before listening to Moran talk about waiting 25 years to retire. "It's three and a half years in jail or 25 years in the bank," Moran says. That both men are in their own prisons is the clever point. And in a nifty bit of casting, De Silva plays both the bank's pushy manager and the fearsome prison gang boss.

As the plotlines split and spiral, the threads have intriguing parallels, including how Moreno has fun with anagrams: alongside Moran and Roman, there's filmmaker Ramon (Zoro), offering some self-referential cinematic gags. The various storylines and characters are linked together in unexpected, often surreal ways. This is a wonderfully deadpan comedy about the shared desire to escape a dead-end job and find new purpose in life's simpler pleasures.

themes, language, violence

13.Oct.23

Dog is a terrific character, introduced as he's sitting at home playing Pong and eating a microwave meal, annoyed by the loved-up cow and moose in the building opposite. No wonder the marketing phrase "Are you alone?" catches his attention. His friendship with Robot is adorable, as they explore the city and end up sweetly holding hands. There are also freaky dreams, plus cruel bunnies, bullying aardvarks and a curious Raccoon who changes Dog and Robot's destiny.

While the plot takes some big turns, most scenes are filled with normal, everyday experiences. And it's the expressive glances that cut through the noise, revealing thoughts and feelings that are easy to identify with for anyone who has ever felt lonely or loved. This is a story that takes a more tangled path than expected, tracing a series of lingering emotions and torn loyalties to a bittersweet ending. It's so honest that it can't help but win us over completely.

themes, violence

13.Sep.23

Because of the documentary approach, no one on-screen seems to be acting at all. Interaction is low-key and earthy, while conversations drift between the mundane and the philosophical. Each person is likeable, conveying fully formed personalities with their own hopes and dreams. Even the goat has a remarkably engaging presence in the final sequence, earning our sympathies as the carefree Juwairiya allows her to wander off and get lost.

Gentle, sunny and quiet, much of the footage is observational, catching snippets of conversation or simply watching someone sleep. The dialog, imagery and events all combine to link the humanity in these two very different locations, from the lush mountainous fields of Asia to Africa's bright wide beaches. So the film becomes a lovely comment on common experiences we all share, regardless of traditions or religion. And pointed notes about tourist resorts remind us of our own connection.

some themes

13.Sep.23