Happiness and Hardship: A Review of Sarah Young’s People Like Us

By Ford Melillo

People Like Us by Sarah Young is a short film depicting adversity, hope, and dreams. It captures both the difficult experiences and joyful connections of Muslim Myanmar refugee children living in Malaysia, with a particular focus on a motivated, confident boy named Rafiq. It strikes a balance between promoting audience awareness of refugee issues and portraying the childlike wonder of its subject, leaving a lasting impact with its incredible style and grace. What’s more: Rafiq’s happiness and charm shine throughout, especially in scenes where he teaches his friends dance moves and jams out to music on his headphones. These captivating moments are bound to stick with viewers long after the film’s conclusion.

I feel deeply fortunate to have learned more about the struggles of refugees in Malaysia and to have seen such a wonderful celebration of life. I am happy to give People Like Us 5 out of 5 stars.

Ford Melillo is a marketing intern at CMRubinWorld and Stanford undergrad studying English with a Creative Writing focus.

Author: C. M. Rubin

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