While They Watched is a drama-thriller film directed by Jake Barsha and released in 2015. The movie follows the lives of three individuals who are unknowingly tied to each other as their world starts to collapse around them. The story is set in a dystopian future where the entire population is subdued under the oppressive regime of a totalitarian government. In this society, the government controls every aspect of people's lives and subjects them to constant surveillance. It is in this environment that Ahn Chol (played by Ahn Chol) - a North Korean immigrant farmer, Derek Chouinard (played by Derek Chouinard) - a young college graduate, and Joanna Hosaniak (played by Joanna Hosaniak) - a human rights lawyer, find themselves inextricably linked.
The film begins by introducing Ahn Chol's life as a farmer working on a small plot of land on the outskirts of the city. Ahn Chol is an immigrant from North Korea who has managed to make a life for himself in this new land while being haunted by the memory of his family back home. He is content with his simple life, but things take a turn for the worse when he becomes a victim of the government's indifference to its citizens' plight. He is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit and ends up losing everything, leaving him homeless and unhappy.
Derek is introduced to the audience as a bright-eyed and naive fresh college graduate who believes that he can change the world with his idealistic ideas. He is full of hope and energy, but soon realizes that the world outside of academia is a far cry from what he had imagined. Derek struggles to find a job and support himself, leading him to spiral down into a world of despair and depression.
Joanna Hosaniak is a human rights lawyer who has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of the oppressed. She sees the suffering of her fellow citizens and is determined to make a change, but her zealousness often causes her to be reckless. Joanna is confronted with the harsh reality of the government's oppression and is forced to choose between her personal beliefs and the law.
As the movie progresses, these three individuals' lives become intertwined in ways that they could never have imagined. They find themselves united in their struggle against the oppressive regime and must work together to try and create a better future for themselves and the rest of society. However, their attempts are fraught with challenges, and they are constantly being watched by the government's agents, who seek to put an end to their movement.
While They Watched is a nuanced exploration of the dangers of an overbearing government's power and the struggles of its citizens to fight against it. It offers a glimpse into a world where hopelessness and despair reign supreme and the fight for freedom and justice is a constant battle. The film is an excellent commentary on the importance of the right to privacy and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs, even in the face of adversity.
The acting in the film is top-notch, with each of the actors bringing their A-game to the table. Ahn Chol delivers an excellent performance as the farmer whose life is upended by the government's indifference, while Derek Chouinard perfectly portrays the innocence and energy of a young college graduate. Joanna Hosaniak's portrayal of a human rights lawyer torn between her personal beliefs and the law is genuine and intense.
Overall, While They Watched is an excellent film that offers a thought-provoking commentary on important issues such as human rights, privacy, and government oppression. It is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys deep, introspective films that leave a lasting impact on the viewer.
While They Watched is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.3.
