#YOLO4REAL (2017)

Directed by: Aiman ​​Hassani | 10 minutes | short film, drama | Actors: Sabri Saddik, Lisa Zweerman, Rachida Iaallala, Ahmed Salah Abdelftah, Armand Rosbak, Kendrick Etmon

Of all the life mottos you should take to heart, “live every day like it’s your last” may be the best. Because it could just be over, that earthly existence. Although by no means everyone gets the chance to look back on their life, it would be quite sad if you were given the opportunity to realize that you didn’t get everything out of it. With that idea in mind – and stimulated by the much used #yolo (you only live once) on social media – filmmaker Aiman ​​Hassani started working on the short film ‘#YOLO4REAL’, which was produced by Interakt as part of NTR Short! 2017.

‘#YOLO4REAL’ is about twenty-something Ahmed. In short fragments, often filmed without dialogue and close to the skin, we get a glimpse of his life. He hears that he is terminally ill and receives chemotherapy, although the chance of a cure is not great. Ahmed goes through all the stages of someone having to deal with this terrible news. Anger, powerlessness, sadness and ultimately acceptance. We also see how his friends and family react to Ahmed’s fate.

The filmmaker is supported by a fine ensemble of actors, who never give the viewer the feeling that they are playing a part. It’s amazing how Hassani manages to create an emotional bond with the characters despite, or perhaps because of, the chosen film form. But what hits the viewer even more is the message that life moves fast. Lightning fast. We may – no, should we – be more aware of that and try to act upon it.