Mogul Mowgli (2020) Strand Releasing
Directed By: Bassam Tariq
Starring: Riz Ahmed, Anjana Vasan, Alyy Khan, Kiran Sonia Sawar and Nabhaan Rizwan
Plot Summary: Mogul Mowgli is the debut narrative feature from award-winning documentary filmmaker Bassam Tariq. It follows the story of a rapper (Riz Ahmed,The Sound Of Metal) who, on the cusp of his first world tour, is struck down by an illness that forces him to face his past, his family, and the uncertainty of his legacy.
Few films truly usher in a new talent quite like Bassam Tariq’s feature film debut, Mogul Mowgli (2020). The setup is a pretty stock, coming home and re-discovering your roots. However, Mogul takes this and really runs with it in a way that is simply amazing. It does so by how it handles the rich tapestry of the Pakistani, Islamic culture. While reading through the press release (which every critic should do) I found an interesting quote from director Riz Ahmed saying, “Mogul Mowgli is not so much about the culture, it’s about family,” and adds, “It’s about how we chase the things that are hollow and the things that matter we are, essentially running away from all the time.” I think this is perfectly captured in Mogul, as the core narrative and theme are Ahmed’s character Zed being forced to not only confront but embrace his roots. A big motif used throughout is fatherhood and, to a lesser extent, what that means in modern times. This is nicely folded into the primal bond between father and son which leads to some very touching but understated moments between Zed and his father.
I also appreciated the fact that Tariq never feels like he has to scream the message with big set pieces. Rather, we get a subtle, painfully beautiful portrait of a family that through hell or high water has always got your back. My takeaway is: Fame is fleeting but family is forever. This is something that most of us can relate to and it’s something that bridges ethnicity, religion and region.
Cinematographer Annika Summerson (who shot the excellent 2021 film Censor) gives the film a very gritty un-stylized approach that further helps keep the film grounded and gives everything a cinema-verité feel. The movie does veer slightly into the dreamlike, but again, it’s handled really well and never in a way that feels like it messes with the overall tone Tariq has laid down. Natural lighting and objective camera shots help reinforce the grounded reality.
The cast of course is the beating heart of the film and do an excellent job. I’m just going to say it, Riz Ahmed is among the most exciting and interesting actors currently working. Ahmed gets to the very heart of Zed and is able to shout the house down with emotions without ever going hammy or theatrical. He has a natural ease and chemistry that is something you either have or you don’t. The supporting cast is equally excellent and include but not limited to: Anjana Vasan, Alyy Khan, Kiran Sonia Sawar and Nabhaan Rizwan.
Mogul Mowgli is a heartbreaking, touching and utterly engrossing film that will stick with you long after its credits roll. Bassam Tariq has arrived with his narrative feature film debut.
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Big film nerd and TCM Obsessed. Author of The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema from Schiffer Publishing. Resume includes: AMC’s The Bite, Scream Magazine etc. Love all kinds of movies and television and have interviewed a wide range of actors, writers, producers and directors. I currently am a regular co-host on the podcast The Humanoids from the Deep Dive and have a second book in the works from Bear Manor.
