Set in a dystopian future, it is about a world that may have robots but echoes harsh realities as well as themes of love, compassion and empathy at the heart of it.
In an earlier interview with Instep, director, writer, animator and narrator of the 10 minute short Machinepur, Maaz Maudood had said: “My main purpose, message behind the film, is a little wake-up call maybe for people to be more altruistic. We are all so caught up in our routines that we’ve forgotten about the main things that matter, which is love, compassion and empathy.”
It’s one thing to have an idea and entirely another thing to not mess up the execution. But, for fans of films, shorts and others, that is not the case here. The ten minute short really does manage to get its message across.
Set in a dystopian future, it begins with a narration of a place that no one knows exists or believes; a world that is not understood by the intelligent or the logical nor one that can be defined. That place is Machinepur. So, we see a planet, as well as architecture before the film takes us to this unique world.
It is soon revealed that in Machinepur, humans don’t exist; just robots. That’s a very smart analogy given the changing nature of technology and its relationship with human beings.
These robots live, in a sense, like human beings. Waking up every day, they head off to work and follow a routine that has existed through centuries. I must add that the animation is so strong and the narration so emotive that this short doesn’t let you go. You do not get bored but only get curious as the narrative builds up.
In Machinepur, we learn they have strange traditions. They follow what is told to them from the beginning and no one can question it. It is like Kafka’s The Trial and George Orwell’s 1984 mixed with a fantastical universe and the technological realities of the world but it comes together beautifully.
The teachings given to Machinepur robots include stepping over others to achieve success and that money is everything, even if it comes at the price of your own inner peace. The film is like a commentary on everything that is wrong with our society but also keeps the technological advances mankind has made, in mind.
There are robots that exist in Japan. Some are home companions to the elderly. In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that thousands could lose jobs in this coming decade – if robots are put in place of human beings.
Coming back to Machinepur, amidst all these laws that are set in place, it is also said that if you don’t follow the rules, the fire of furnace is waiting.
In Machinepur exists a city called Robot’Nagar where lives an ordinary robot called Circuit. During his birth, the whole city loses power. In class, he would be told to stand outside; he was called ‘short circuit’ as an insult and had no friends because no one wanted to befriend him. His only friend was a dog called Megabite and they were inseparable.
The news is called ‘Tension News’ – an apt analogy given how we continue to receive bad news. And the mission of the channel is to give tension. Those who watch the news every day may relate to this.
It makes fun of TV dramas slightly and notes that despite there being good things, Tension News will only report the bad. A commentary on the media rat-race that is palpable in Pakistan with the existence of several news outlets.
As Circuit ponders on the meaning of this purposeless existence, he has a dream in which it is said: “You know not who you are. Look inside yourself.”
From here the film turns and Circuit goes from being just another ordinary robot to one who goes in search for answers.
What happens to Circuit? Does he find the answers he’s looking for? Does he find “heart”? Those are answers you will find but only if you watch this short film that has heart, commentary that is socio-political and is told with a great deal of compassion.
Director Maaz Maudood exceeds expectations with Machinepur and we only hope to see his next sooner - than later.
– The short film is available on YouTube
