• Release year: 2025
• Director: Christopher Knoblock and Dana White.
• Producer: Dana White.
• Screenplay by: Dana White.
• Cinematography by: Dylan O’Brien.
• Music by: Bobby Ge.

Shotgun Commentary: a wholesome lesson in empathy.

Review

Magan’s Fare is a short and sweet story that reminds you of the core idea of being human: the ability to feel empathy, our “humanity”. The story shows both the best and worst in people. A hopeful but bittersweet message that reminds us of the power of being human in a world that seems to punish the just and reward the evil.

The game

The story follows Magan (Barkhad Abdi). He is a ride-share driver who unexpectedly finds an old woman in his car after dropping off his latest clients. The lady, Jorani (Alexis Rhee), refuses to leave the car, demanding to be taken home. After several attempts to get her out of the car, he gives in. He takes her to her nursing home, only to find that they have given up her bed, effectively leaving her in the street. Magan is then confronted with the dilemma of what to do with Jorani, who, after being kicked out, gets back in his car and refuses to leave yet again.

Their adventure is as real as they come, Magan is no hero, and Jorani is anything but an easy rescue. However, the first’s compassion and the second’s complex personality make them the perfect accidental pairing for the short. Adbi and Rhee have great chemistry together. They create humorous moments in a story that is anything but, and intensity without the slightest approach to overdramatise.

The players

Abdi’s character is far from perfect. He is merely a man trying to do his best. That is exactly why you root for him from the very first second of the film. He tries to earn money for his family while dealing with the constant calls from both his mother and wife, who don’t seem to get along.

You never get enough context to judge about who’s at fault for the warring relationship between the two women and how it affects the three of them, which is actually a stroke of genius. In lacking that information, your attention is more focused on how the characters feel and communicate, rather than figuring out the morality or justice of it all. At the end of the day, you don’t choose your family, and pointing fingers is hardly a solution in any case, so eliminating that possibility inserts the spectator into their dynamics a lot more naturally.

As for Jorani, she is not only a fascinating character, but a stark reminder of the mistreatment senior citizens get in most societies. Not everyone can rely on their kids to take care of them in the last phase of their lives. Not because sons and daughters today are any worse than the previous generation, but because nowadays, there are two common phenomena that weren’t as popular as before.

The issue

Firstly, in most cases, now both partners in a relationship need to work in order to live. The concept of one salary to pay for everything is now more of a legend than a reality, so noone can afford to simply stop working to take care of their parents. Secondly, not everyone has children any more. Why should you be punished merely for not following the traditional route in life?

The fact is, now most states dry their citizens for all they are worth, and after they are too old to keep working, they get spit out like expired milk. There are enough horror stories in the news all around the world to make you think twice about putting your relatives in a home or retirement centre, and the state offers no third option. So, at that point, what do you do? Throw old people out the cliff like Spartans?

Jorani is one of those childless people who has run out of options, a horribly vulnerable position to be in, especially at an advanced age. Rhee plays this role beautifully, doting Jorani of the depth and complexity her character deserves. A great co-protagonist with a story that is definitely worth following.

All in all, Magan’s Fare is an incredibly powerful short film that packs relevant and pressing messages and critiques. It is the type of short that reminds you that you don’t need three hours to say something relevant, a few minutes are more than enough, and Magan’s Fare uses that time wisely. No nonsense, enthralling characters, and a tale that is worth every second.

Magan’s Fare was part of the Raindance Film Festival 2025 programme. Find all the info here!

Advice to take from this movie:

• Having a community is important.
• Governments need to start treating senior citizens like human beings instead of nuisances.
• Retirement homes should be inspected more closely.

What’s your take? Have you watched Magan’s Fare? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀