By Nouha Bouazizi
Short Movie « I know no fear 202 » directed by Haythem Mghirbi and Mohamed Youssef Zeryat
White clothing, twitching eyes, lustful stares. Human predators feed on flesh. Blood is spilled. White is tarnished. Roars of hunger and echoes of gluttony.
In these first scenes we face a spectacle infused with biblical imagery : two brothers feeding aggressively on innocence and flesh, while the standby watcher of sin looks on.
This biblical frame is precious. It gives us footing. From it, we can build interpretations on ethics and draw social critiques. It is an infinite source of meaning. In this infinity, we find refuge.
This kind of interpretation casts the film as a representation of the biblical universe, and the director as a sort of God. And thus it places an obstacle before us, one that prevents us from seeing the bare content of the film, free of superimpositions.
That is the problem with how we tend to read many conceptual films.
The real challenge of this particular movie, however, is to watch it simply as it is and for what it is.
It dares us to look at it in the eye, without flinching. It calls upon us to confront violence, to stare it down. So let’s watch it :
It is a story of violence and revenge. The anticipation builds. Intense music and memories of ruined innocence drive the victim to strike back at the aggressors. The killer dances to Mezwed beats as the victims clap.
We could discuss the justification of murder and the ethics of revenge. But let’s stay on topic. Let’s continue watching.
The filmmaker makes it easier for us to watch by including stock-footage from animal documentaries : lions and spiders exercising their nature. Wild animals are easier for us to face than humans.
He creates a parallel between the animal kingdom and the human one, practically telling us : Lion, spider, human, there is no difference, even the primate stalks its prey.
Perhaps it is the desire and hunger that glisten in the eyes, or the violent dance of the limbs? Acts that seem spontaneous in nature ?
The animal kingdom depicts violence as natural whereas the humans’ demands interpretation, explanation.
The film answers back : Humans, just like animals, are inherently violent.
Raw truth.
