ay goodbye, love.” A motherly figure (Kerry Bishe) comforts an 8-year-old child, Anwar (Leo Etemadi), as he buries a dead bird in the forest outside of their home. As the boy wonders about what happens after death, the woman explains that everyone now has a choice when it comes to mortality; advances in science and technology have allowed her to become an ever-person, who can enjoy absolute immortality. But the boy’s father, who chose not to live forever, passed away some time ago, leaving Anwar in the hands of this curious caretaker. Is she his real mother? Or something else? And will he, too, choose the gift of “everence”?

Spanning decades, this unexpectedly creepy and strange but compelling little episode depicts the possibilities for future longevity, especially when it comes to postapocalyptic circumstances and the horrors of war. And yet, these scientific miracles clash with blind faith, suggesting that some people may choose not to take advantage of extraordinary technological accomplishments – a concept that is hard to digest when humankind can craft the very means to disprove and surpass divine capabilities. It’s akin to societies continuing to embrace biblical teachings after an extraterrestrial invasion of green Martians.

Should the choice to not exist be a choice? While this sort of philosophical conundrum is thoroughly amusing, the ambiguities make it difficult to fully appreciate the scope and the vision. Is the boy alone on this planet? Is his sole source of knowledge provided by his undying matron? Are there limitations to the ever-person design? Is there much for anyone to do in the galaxy, or are these two somehow trapped in their seemingly isolated environment? Regardless, the cinematography is exceptionally crisp, while the brief glimpses of sci-fi elements are convincing; from a technical standpoint, “Anwar” is a success. But despite the gloss, this short subject appears to boil down to a quick message about religious adherence and meeting one’s maker/s, which feels shortsighted in the face of the ambitious speculative fiction ideas surrounding it. “I need to see what comes next.”

– Mike Massie