2018: Everyone Is A Hero

From thereon, a gradually heightening and amplifying sound of rain pulls the audience into a non-stop and inter-woven sequence of the entire state coming together to face and shrug off the horrifying consequences of the disaster. Here, Joseph’s 2018: Everyone Is A Hero comes forth as a technically strong and intense survival drama that keeps you hooked to the last shot.

Talking of technical superlatives of the film, Vishnu Govind’s sound design and Akhil George’s cinematography collaborate to form a perfect disaster film. As Akhil’s camera work takes us through intermingled extreme-wide sequences of flooded regions, medium shots of collapsing houses, and close-ups of the survivors’ efforts to hold themselves high – Govind’s corresponding sounds of landslides, pouring rains, and walls pushed down to elevate the dangers that transcend well out the screen to the viewer. Adding the much-needed sound of hope amid adversity is Nobin Paul’s score that never let 2018: Everyone Is A Hero its guard down.

“…a story of characters rising above their societal stations and being a depiction of a real-life calamity…”

Joseph has perfectly balanced 2018: Everyone Is A Hero between being a story of characters rising above their societal stations and being a depiction of a real-life calamity that shook millions of lives. It’s a juxtaposition between their crises and their eventual collective efforts against nature’s wrath that makes 2018: Everyone Is A Hero both character and plot-driven. 2018 does have a hero, to begin with, as we largely delve into Anoop’s (Tovino Thomas) life and his place in the community. His smile and charming adulation sustain him as the on-screen cynosure. But the film doesn’t let that notion fix itself to the overall narrative as many more, including Nixon (Asif Ali), Mathachan (Lal), and many other faces, come forward as what the story itself hails them as – Heroes. The message is right there in the subtitle, and it’s exquisitely focused upon, which is not only necessary for the film to come along but also for honoring its subject. 2018: Everyone Is A Hero pays a heartfelt and wholesome tribute to the thousands of fishermen who, through their learned experience with the frights of the sea, took it upon themselves to defeat nature’s otherwise most significant boon – meanwhile defying death, danger, and consequences with bravery.

The visual depiction of the power of togetherness is a solid notion to address as our society delves into self-centered and individualistic life values. It’s great to witness that being a film with a vast ensemble, character arcs, and a mega-size subject to deal through, 2018: Everyone Is A Hero resonates with the ideals of an intellectual and philosophically spirited film. It now competes to find a place in the Best International Feature category at the 96th Academy Awards, and a film that poignantly yet encouragingly presents humanity’s willingness must be rewarded.