We all know that our time will come to an end. But are we ever truly ready for it?
Written and directed by Ann Marie Fleming, Can I Get a Witness? is set in a postapocalyptic world in the near future. After society collapsed, it is decided that the answer to all of our problems stems from overpopulation. Now, humans have to end their lives at the age of 50 in the midst of a private ceremony, chronicled by teen artists as a form of remembrance. With her mother’s date approaching, Kiah (Keira Jang) takes on a position as one of these young artists and sets out on her first day of training. But, in doing so, her view of the world will be challenged as she faces death for the first time.
With Witness, Fleming has invites the viewer into a world that they don’t fully understand. Inspired by Johnathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal, Fleming intends on taking the most absurdist and dark and dragging underlying issues into the light. (If you’ve never read Swift’s Proposal, imagine a world where the way to solve the economy was by eating children. Now you have the idea.) There’s a necessary savagery within Fleming’s pen as she reflects upon the future with humour and heart.
But, even with its satirical edge, Witness also takes the future very seriously.
Much of the film’s depth stems from its environmental message. Because the film is set in a postapocalyptic world, there’s a sense that humanity has learned from their mistakes of the past. However, in order to celebrate life, they have embraced the stench of death. In essence, rather than work towards a better solution for collective care of the environment, Fleming posits answers that are intentionally unreasonable. (It’s in this way that the film echoes the work of Swift by creating a ridiculous solution for complex problems.) Rather than take responsibility for the past, they punish themselves in order to seemingly take the easy way out.
Even so, each ‘end of life’ ceremony (well, most of them) is taken with a sense of peaceful acceptance. In general, everyone knows that their lives are coming to an end and have made the necessary arrangements to move on. In the midst of bizarre circumstances, there’s a genuine sense of quiet. But, for some, the question must be asked.
How much time is enough?
For Fleming, the question of time is central to the film’s heartbeat. Embedded within the concept of time is both the notion of finality and the question of purpose. Of course, with the clock ticking, knowing when the end is coming serves as a reminder of our mortality. Everyone dies (but, in Fleming’s film, they simply know when it will happen). But also, it asks what the measure of life may be. Although Jang’s Kiah is really taking the first steps into adulthood, her experiences force her to look towards the end of it. In doing so, every ‘end of life ceremony’ feels pregnant with memory and purpose. (After all, it’s Kiah’s job to chronicle the moment.)
But what is it worth? As she sits with each person, Kiah is required to grapple with the meaning of life. What makes these people valuable? Was their time on earth enough? What does it mean to be truly remembered? These are all questions that arise from her experience with Daniel. (And that’s only her first day.)
Much credit must also be given to Jang who gives a wonderful performance as Kiah. In each scene, Kiah feels both restless and calm. She sits uncomfortably with her ‘clients’, wondering how she should feel. Yet, at the same time, there’s a strength within her calm. Jang breathes life into her character when death weighs heavily all around her.
As such, Can I Get a Witness? piece that feels both peaceful and profound. With heart and humour, Fleming ensures that the power of life is met with the burden of death. But, in the midst of her musings on mortality, Fleming also reminds us of hope for the future.
At least for those who are willing to make the most of their time.
Can I Get a Witness? is available now.
