The real significance of truly impactful films about the world of drug dealers lies in their exploration of social issues. While many superficial productions emphasize an exaggerated, distorted view of sterile mercantilism, a select few delve into meaningful and substantial themes. Among these is the short film ‘The Hard R‘, where Adad Warda elevates the classic good-versus-bad narrative to a new level of complexity, shedding light on structural flaws in contemporary society.

 

For the director, this premise is the ideal opportunity to embrace the tradition of some excellent feature films with a similar approach, but also to talk about prejudices and all forms of discrimination that the contemporary mentality seems not to have overcome yet. In other words, the protagonists illustrate two typologies of victims trapped in an endless web of manipulations, shattered dreams and fantasies fuelled by a naive perspective on destructive practices. In the same way, the main characters become aware of their failure in a society based not only on false values, but also on aberrant stereotypes for which skin colour remains an obsession, an undeniable criterion of distinction.

 

Despite the small size of his project, Adad Warda delivers a consistent short film with a seemingly schematic plot, backed by a creative team to be commended. As in most memorable productions of this genre, the quality of this approach is felt in its details, in its contextual observations or in those small gestures that weave together a micro social panorama of a sensitivity and authenticity that is impossible to ignore. In the same way, the cinematic dynamism supported by a well-dosed narrative progression and a duo of talented actors make ‘The Hard R’ a surprising experience that touches some of the nerve points of a society compromised by illusory ambitions. We are deeply impressed by the sharp focus of this perspective, matched only by our eagerness to see this concept expanded into a feature film.

 

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