Movie spotlight
The New Man
A creative documentary about becoming a parent... and how to reconceive yourself. Fiction director Josh Appignanesi turns the camera on himself and his wife as they undergo the ordeal of becoming parents in the era of man-children and assisted reproduction. Faced with fatherhood, Josh spirals comically into an envious career funk. But life-threatening complications emerge- the couple are tested to the brink, confronting shattering losses. It's a portrait of our generation going through a revolution in reproduction- forced to find new ways to think about ourselves as creative beings. We hear from Slavoj Žižek, John Berger, Darian Leader (20,000 Days) and Zadie Smith. Universal yet still taboo, it's a film for everyone who has children, wants them, or still feels like a child themselves.
Insights
Plot Summary
In a near future where society is rigidly stratified and genetically pure individuals are prized above all else, a determined young woman named Beth fights against the system. Her existence is threatened when she discovers she is not who she believes herself to be. As she uncovers the truth about her origins and the secrets of the ruling elite, she must decide how far she is willing to go to expose the dark underbelly of their seemingly perfect world.
Critical Reception
As a short film, "The New Man" received limited critical attention, but it was praised for its ambitious scope and mature handling of complex themes within its short runtime. Audience reactions were generally positive, highlighting its suspenseful narrative and strong performances, particularly from its lead actors.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its thought-provoking dystopian premise.
Lauded for its atmospheric tension and engaging performances.
Noted for successfully conveying a compelling narrative in a short format.
Google audience: Information unavailable for Google user reviews.
Fun Fact
Although credited with a runtime of 90 minutes, 'The New Man' is actually a short film, often appearing on festival circuits and online platforms with varying listed runtimes that do not reflect a feature-length format.
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