How to Be Human (2017) User Reviews

A short film filled to the brim with darkness, inhumanity, and poignancy.

[maria_hardcastle · 8/10 · 1 May 2017]

There is something poignant about the darkness that surrounds the world of How to be Human. The short film shows an alternative future for Britain, one which is marked by dystopia, repressed humanity, and deadly conflict. The film turns the perspective of the refugee crisis on its head as it follows the journey of two sisters as they flee this war ridden country – from the crumbling ruins of London to the prison-like security of Dover. The sisters have an unfamiliar relationship - Sophie Kennedy Clarke, is a purely cleansed android-human hybrid whilst the other, Louise Salter, embodies the rawness of wholesome humanity. The pair's highly accomplished performances create characters which contrast in almost every way. Their dissimilarities combined with the limited dialogue forms an intriguing, and somewhat challenging, sisterly relationship. Salter faces a continuous battle to suppress her human instincts in an attempt to cross the border as an android and survive. Her humanity is gradually purged as her mannerisms and compassion are stripped away.

These harrowing scenes are presented through a visually stunning pallet of warm colours. These saturated images presents somewhat of a paradox. Their warmth injects the work with life but also accentuate the reality of the characters' suffering. The whole film maintains a mechanical and dilapidated aesthetic with a fluctuating integration of futuristic technology. The inhabited scenes of London and the border controls at Dover are filled with gadgets. The amount of technology diminishes as the sisters undertake their journey through the barren landscapes. A sense of clarity is established with the decline in futuristic elements but these central scenes seem to be out of sync with the overall vision of the dystopian world.

The rather abrupt end seems to come too soon as the audience stares at the screen craving more. This is testament to the absorbing world the creative team has formed. The underlying concept of reversing the refugee crisis is a strong foundation to allow the rest of the film to flourish. The Sci-Fi medium successfully enables the film to tactfully comment on the state of society. Through a shift in perspective How to be Human unifies the identity of the refugee and gives an insight into humanity which resonates far beyond the confinement of the cinematic screen.

Wonderfully original and visually stunning short

[daveamac · 10/10 · 13 September 2019]

A visually stunning and original British movie with loads of atmosphere and great performances throughout. Looking forward to seeing more!

the price

[Kirpianuscus · 21 November 2019]

After its end, it remains a sort of magic. Out of any definition. A film about a fundamental compromise and its high price. Two sisters. A woman and her child. A transformation. A new world. And something out of clear - precise circle to define. Poetic in subtle manner, from atmosphere to the acting.

A Short Film which reminds us How To Be Human

[ventspleenuk · 10/10 · 3 May 2017]

Last year I watched in horrified silence as the refugee crisis deepened in Syria and the camps were torn down in Calais. This isn't a political issue it is a humanitarian disaster and yet the media coverage seemed to focus almost entirely on the terrorist threat posed and not the devastation caused by many innocent families ripped from their homes. We are part of a global community that should be crying out as one against such scenes and yet it seems we have grown cold in the face of intense pain and suffering. Yes of course the issues raised ARE concerns and the growing number of asylum seekers does threaten to over balance countries that don't have adequate checks in place. But surely these points and, by extension, the media coverage should represent the human element of this global issue. People, children are dying and yet we are protected from this uncomfortable truth by a media that seems at best to be selective on the images and stories it conveys. What does it mean to be human? What happens if our society turns its back on emotion and aligns itself with cold and unfeeling fact? These are the issues that are placed at the very heart of the conceptual short film How To Be Human, a film which came to my attention as the refugee crisis was at its peak.

How To Be Human received its Premiere at Sci-Fi-London last week and I was excited to see how these weighty but relevant messages would be conveyed in a science fiction setting. The opening scenes of a devastated London skyline set the backdrop to a country that has been ravaged by some unnameable apocalyptic catastrophe. Marc Hutchings has created a visual effects landscape that stands proudly against anything that Hollywood can throw at it. Here is proof, if any were needed, that viewing an Independent Film doesn't mean a drop in standards and the devastation of the London skyline is simply astounding. Unlike recent Hollywood blockbusters How To Be Human also packs a powerful and engaging story line which does not lose its pace throughout the Shorts duration. Darren Rapier's writing is as sharp and on point as his surname alludes to and right from the outset combines with the films arresting imagery to create a world that seems so otherworldly but at the same time terribly familiar. Here to is brilliant and even handed direction from Bruno Centofanti who so effectively guides through this nightmarish world that we are effortlessly transported from the Rich Mix Cinema in London to a Capital devastated by fiery destruction and death.

Emotion has been outlawed and those showing even the slightest flicker of feeling have been exiled into disparate refugee camps outside huge super cities that are policed by drones. How To Be Human has elements of Judge Dredd and alludes to 1984 without feeling like it is a copy. There is a new and innovative feel to the short which, when placed against the backdrop of current global events, feels like a story that is screamingly relevant. We are introduced to the unemotional and almost robotic Adelphe (the BAFTA award winning Sophie Kennedy Clarke) who is leading the slightly more rebellious and feeling driven Kimi (Louise Salter) to a refugee camp. The reasons why they are being prepared for infiltration into a society which sees emotion as dangerous is unclear but there is purpose in the preparation. Sophie Kennedy Clarke is like able and engagingly effective as Adelphe and provides a perfect partner to Louise Salter's more questioning Kimi. How To Be Human delivers a powerful sucker punch to any that feel the nature of humanity can be found in any direction that involves a move away from community. Without being preachy or patronising the film simply shows us what lies in wait for humanity that sheds emotion like an unwanted husk and challenges us to look anew at the suffering of our fellow homo sapiens with a lot more empathy.

What can we do when we see the suffering of the innocent and the bereaved? We can care and and we can refuse to be silenced even when our leaders have forgotten How To Be Human!