Title: Ples Man
Director: Rama Nathan
Rating: PGR
Duration: 102 minutes
Ples Man is a PNG film which recounts the journey of a Morobean youth’s rise to success in the agricultural and tourism sector after encountering the harsh realities of unemployment during post-graduation.
At its core, the movie explores several familiar themes of youth unemployment, rural- urban drift, community development including law & order.
It challenges the unhealthy overdependence that most Papua New Guineans have on our government, suggesting that the country’s future lies not in the government providing more jobs but in Papua New Guineans themselves – Papua New Guineans who are proactive in their lives regardless of whatever circumstance they find themselves in.
The overarching message of the movie could be summed up in the phrase: “Land is Life”.
The protagonist, Eric, is a relatable character whose journey from a typical village boy to successful businessman will resonate with many coming from similar backgrounds.
While the plot of Ples Man is admirable, the film is regrettably overshadowed by poor acting.
Poor performance and line delivery is prevalent throughout the film.
The main character’s narration is monotonous and lacks passion.
Tuli Man does not embody the character of a struggling youth well.
Yet in spite of this, Jona Film Production and the cast and crew deserve praise for putting in the effort to promote film in a country like Papua New Guinea where the film industry has been overlooked for many years.
Additionally, it takes a lot of courage to create something or perform on screen and risk humiliation.
Show business is not for the timid.
If you are person who is interested in the art of filmmaking and movie production, I would 100% recommend watching Ples Man.