The short film offers an engaging narrative about a night of violence consisting of a who thug wants to pull himself out the world of mindless murders, a fellow-goon who is sent by their boss to take care of the former, a potential rapist unwittingly killed amidst it all and an unsuspecting girl who finds herself located in the centre of the havoc. The plot makes a zealous attempt to tie it all together. The performances are notable as is the editing of the film. The entire visuals play out in a monochromatic palette, a seemingly intentional choice to keep the story devoid of any distractions. However, when it is all said and done, who will be the last person standing?

Iravulagam | Short Film Nominee

We talk about the implications of violent events on a woman’s life, but what about when the object of
violence is a man? 
Men Like Us is a film about a harrowing incident which leaves a young man questioning his masculinity.
The film opens with a young man on his knees, pleading for mercy from someone. We know it is
another man, for he addresses him as Anna (big brother) who refuses to bulge. With an odd, curious
opening scene which shows a man reduced to a victim position, Men Like Us, makes a searing point
about the unbarring nature of a violent event. 
Make no mistake, the film doesn’t establish binaries that may seem pointed to in this review. In fact,
there aren’t even any women in this film about the big, bad world of men, where a man throws a
napkin, he used to wipe his hands after peeing, on another’s face. 
There are only stolen cars, guns, gang wars and angst on this side of a man’s world.

Men Like Us | Short Film Nominee

The film has a voice and tonality that invokes the sleekness of a crime fiction with fast-paced action unfolding at breakneck speed. As characters yell out to each other from their hideouts, bloodied and injured, each trying to outdo the other in this game of survival, parts and bits of the story are gradually revealed to the viewer. The film exhibits potential in the department of storytelling as the events develop, sometimes even tinged with humour in the unlikeliest ways. Questionable loyalties are invoked as are pleas and last minute negotiation tactics to somehow bring in a sense of security for their lives by the characters, and yet, the violence and bloodbath continues. Amidst this game of flying bullets and hidden enemies at every turn, who would eventually emerge victorious?

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