ANIMALIA

Other movies
THE SETTLEMENT
Director: Mohamed Rashad
When 23-year-old Hossam's father dies in a factory accident, management of the factory offer a deal: a job for Hossam and his younger brother, 12-year-old Maro, in exchange for burying the truth. With a criminal record and a disabled mother to support, Hossam has little choice but to accept the job, even as his brother insists on working beside him. Hossam is pulled in multiple directions — between the truth of his father's death, a first love affair with a disappearing coworker and his community's dark reputation. This thriller has an intriguing atmosphere, and to emphasize the characters' oppression, director Mohamed Rashad uses sound — especially the overwhelming noise of the factory machines — to immerse the audience in a corrupt world.
EARLY DAYS
Director: Priyankar Patra
Filmmaker Priyankar Patra captures the zeitgeist of young love in this fresh-feeling romantic drama. The film follows the beginnings of a relationship between Preeti and Samrat, an aspirational couple in their mid-twenties who have just moved to the megalopolis of Mumbai. As they share their love story via reels on social media, where the immediate validation and promises of quick money initially seduces, and then propels them into the world of influencers. The film explores the impact of social media on contemporary relationships, while its cinematography creates an intimate and voyeuristic viewing experience, similar to that that of social media voyeurism. With its topical subject and natural performances, Early Days is a relatable watch.