“Jisim” follows Buck and D, two friends who embark on a journey to find the perfect burial place for Buck. At first, D sees this peculiar quest as an odd game posed by her friend, but after an incident that causes Buck to collapse the severity of the request begins to make sense. As the harsh reality sets in, the two friends try to enjoy their time together before the inevitable.
“JISIM” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Approaching the subject of inevitable death is always going to be an uncomfortable scenario, reminding us of the perviousness and fragility of life. However, it is an important subject to explore and art that can give a cathartic reaction for people going through hardship. It is an admirable endeavor when executed with the necessary grace.
Syukri Rahim's “JISISM”, is a prime example of the importance in exploring such themes, not just in its social importance but in handling it with the needed sincerity. Authenticity gives the film validation, with the script evoking a sense of the real struggle of coming to terms with loss. As such, the dialogue between Buck and D is utterly tragic due to the believability of their interactions–Buck wanting to hide his condition and spend the last of time with his friend.
The sincere approach, in large part, rests on the outstanding performances of Fabian Loo as Buck and Amanda Azman as D. The two share a natural chemistry that makes their relationship authentic. As a viewer, it feels as if you are witnessing the two as a silent observer over watching two actors go through the actions of trying to express their own interpretation of the characters. Whether this is because of a personal familiarity or direction from Rahim, the performances in the short are undeniably praiseworthy in capturing that intimate simplicity that exists between close friends.
Visually, the production has its charms in Eunice Alexander's ability to capture the pair at angles that reinforce the sensation of the audience being an observer to the profound moments between friends. In addition, there are dreamlike sequences that capture that sense of falling due to freeform or distant visual approach– representative of Duke drifting into an inescapable despair. The score is also beautifully realized, with lovely ‘bedroom pop' adding layers to the unspoken bond the friends share. As an experience, the film flows beautifully and understands how to further add depth to the short through cinematography and music.
There are certain short films that can catch you off guard, as it is always a challenge to imbue so much emotion into a story that is brief (18 mins in this case). However, Syukri A Rahim proves he can do just that, figuring out ways to draw an instant emotional connection between the viewer and his subjects. Highly commendable and recommendable, it will be exciting to see how Rahim grows as a director.
