Better Man

Better Man is an Australian television mini-series that aired on the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) in 2013. The four-part drama, directed by Khoa Do and produced by FremantleMedia Australia, is remarkable for its clarity in narrating a real-life story bathed in controversial, almost unspeakable circumstances. The focus of the show, as the title hints, is on the struggle of the protagonist to become, in his own deeply challenged ways, a "Better Man."

The series hones in on the life of Van Tuong Nguyen, a Vietnamese-Australian man who was convicted of drug trafficking in Singapore and henceforth executed. The series encompasses Nguyen’s personal journey, documenting the crucial stages of his life. The audience follows him from an innocent, impressionable youngster striving for a better life to a desperate young adult entrapped in dark web of criminality. Before Singapore’s stringent anti-drug laws catches up to him, audiences witness a man who develops under struggles of poverty, familial tensions, and peer pressures within a multicultural Australian community.

The series portrays these intricate details with exquisite creativity, accommodating a balance of factual, documented events blended with cogent and emotive streamlining. Interspersed with flashbacks, the viewer is transported to crucial moments in Nguyen's previous life that contribute to his fall. In retrospect, each moment is delicately dissected to showcase the gravity of its effect on the future.

Remy Hii, who played Nguyen in the series, delivers a remarkable performance, credibly depicting the vulnerabilities, strengths, desperation, and courage of the condemned man. Supporting performances, including that of Hii's co-star Jordan Rodrigues, who plays Nguyen's brother Khoa, add to the depth and human element of the series.

Through Nguyen’s haunting narrative, Better Man places a spot-light on some intricate aspects of Australia's law and society. It raises vital questions about the death penalty, questions about justice and fairness. To start with, Nguyen was guilty as charged, but was the punishment meted out to him unduly harsh? Could a different approach possibly lead to a better individual and societal outcome especially given Nguyen's sociocultural context and his academic results while in imprisonment? While the series does not overtly answer these, it carefully crafts scenarios and dialogues nudging the viewer to reflect upon them.

Intertwined within the broader legal and humanitarian concerns is the exploration of brotherly bonds, and the influence of familial relations on an individual's growth. It transcends the norms of a traditional crime-drama by exploring the extent one would go to protect and aid one's family, even if it means compromising their own safety.

Better Man also comments on the immigrant experience in Australia, the challenges in assimilation and the economic hardships encountered. The script navigates through these issues discreetly, creating a narrative that is deceptively simple yet deep in its implicit societal analysis. Van's situation is not attributed to a singular poor decision but is recognized as a consequence of several contributing factors and hardships he faced, which made him susceptible to such drastic measures.

Despite the serious themes, the series maintains an engaging narrative, dipping in and out of emotional intensity when necessary. The powerful performances by the cast encapsulate the audience, immersing them into Van and his family's world. The viewer is left grappling with the emotions, the ethical debacles and the paradoxes of life and death, right and wrong, as navigated within the series.

Furthermore, not only is the series a triumph in its storytelling, the aesthetic facet is commendable as well. Shot by Mark Wareham, the spectacularly composed visuals capture the stark contrasts of the humble Australian suburbia to the sterile halls of Changi Prison. The series maneuvers between moods and ambiences with fluidity, contributing towards an immersive viewing experience.

In sum, Better Man presents a multi-layered perspective into Van Tuong Nguyen's life that forces viewers to confront their biases and challenge their morality. How he is remembered, as a victim of his circumstances or a perpetrator deserving of his fate, is left to individual interpretations.