Machiavelli Hangman is an incredibly funny and inspirational 
film that was skillfully put together by a group of filmmakers 
based in Burbank, California. While the film does not have a 
big budget or any special effects, it manages to tantalize
the senses and rely on the viewer’s imagination to get its point 
across. It’s truly a satisfying thing, that element of surprise 
based on your own interpretation when you put your own 
imagination at work. The filmmaker of the film, Shervin Youssefian, 
understands this better than most these days. The lack of visual 
information is often more effective than dead-on exposition. 
That was the main key to the tremendous success of Blair Witch 
Project. The witch was never shown but the filmmakers used the 
audio and clues here and there to trigger the audience’s 
imagination and there is nothing scarier than what you do not 
see or what you do not know.

Machiavelli Hangman does not take the horror picture route but 
it nevertheless navigates the thriller-suspense waters with a 
comedic fluidity that is so rare in modern films. It lets you 
listen to what you don’t see. It shows you what you don’t hear. 
It also leaves enough room for interpretation and that is what 
makes the 2 hour film seem like a 20-minute joy ride.

The story follows the events that take place in the time span of 
two days and the film – by the use of flashbacks – recounts the 
incidents that revolve around four distinctive characters. The 
film is very reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino’s earlier work 
like Pulp Fiction or Usual Suspect but it doesn’t take itself 
so seriously and it’s much more accessible to broader audiences. 
Imagine Steven Spielberg making Pulp Fiction and you would get 
Machiavelli Hangman. 

Youssefian’s film uses the elements from all genres – whether it 
be from horror pictures or comedy or drama – and it creates a 
dish that appeals to all tastes. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so 
surprising these days, the HD production looks as good as if it 
was shot on 35mm. 

Michael Mann shot Collateral on High Definition and later ran 
a digital intermediate on the footage to give it the crisp 35 
look and that’s exactly what the producers chose to do with 
Machiavelli Hangman.

MH – which is becoming the acronym used to refer to the hangman 
movie – is gaining a phenomenal following on the festival 
circuit and the word is spreading faster than a speeding bullet 
on the internet. Many critics – including myself – have been so 
supportive that they feel this is destined to become the next 
big splash on the Hollywood market. So hang in there and enjoy 
the ride, this is the year of Machiavelli. 

Susan Stranger is a full-time staff writer 
in Manhattan. Machiavelli Hangman
http://www.hangmanmovie.com