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Oscar Qualifying Short Film Review “I’m Not A Robot”

  

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

First, the Recap:

WHO AM I??? A valid enough query that we most likely as ourselves more often than we’d care to admit. Being able to establish our identity is undeniably crucial, as it will end up defining self-worth and purpose as we move forward day by day. Having a ASSURED sense of this is likewise imperative, so we can therefore maintain the aforementioned state of being and have comfort of knowing others see us as such, too. Possessing no doubts about it finalizes this, hoping nothing upends our confidence.

Record company employee Lara (Ellen Parren) is having a day. With a computer program needed for her work giving her fits, thanks to an issue involving Captcha, things take a decidedly awkward and alarming turn when she suddenly finds herself having to question everything she knows, or IS. Not wishing to believe what an online test is attempting to tell her, Lara can only hope that others around her will be able to guide her to the truth she already knows–right?

Next, my Mind:

Culturally, relevantly reflective of our contemporary, tech-driven world, darkly comedic in how its themes are approached, and wholly eccentric in its ultimate purpose exposing both the dangers and (supposed) benefits of advancing AI and its applications, it is no small declaration in expressing that this 22-minute Oscar qualifying short film from writer/director Victoria Warmerdam, producer Trent, and co-producer Henry Gillet carries a big stick and knows how to use it. Crossing the lines between AI-centric science fiction and fantasy, what surprises are the dramatically harrowing moments that are also interwoven within it as well, an exceptionally written, intelligently presented, engagingly artistic cautionary tale being conveyed that more than superbly morphs into a deftly executed warning shot for this modern age of ever-expanding utilization of and reliance on the digital universe.

Allowing the narrative to actually start in a very uncomplicated manner, it sees a well-respected member of a record company team floundering in her job due to a needed software update that she cannot complete due to major failure to complete the Captcha associated with it. However, what transpires from this point and through the rest of the film is where the utter GENIUS of it all begins to manifest, launching into a much more layered, eerie (though again, mostly comedically so), and, honestly, sobering exploration of self-identity, to truly KNOW who you are, and face it head on, even when it may not be what you remotely expected. With all the film projects over the recent years that take on this highly prolific subject matter involving any kind of AI and its ramifications, this is arguably one of the most beautifully and impactfully unique takes on it this critic has seen.

Again, it’s HOW the narrative unfolds, the pacing paired with slowly building revelation, plus all the drama and muted but fully adept levity that propels this to be so acutely successful, playing on your mind, brilliantly leaving you in a constant state of believing you MIGHT have figured it all out–until the film’s third act that ends up colliding with every notion you had with the force of a freight train while then knocking you out with its then-verified truths. Additionally, there are the underlying thematic journeys the film also addresses amidst its foundational one, including everything the frustration of computer issues, customer service calls, gender equality (and inequality!), diversity in the workplace, how we tend to be so quick to label things and people without really KNOWING anything about them, notions of people playing God, loss/grieving, and the lengths we will go to to prove who we are and that we are individuals, not just mindless automatons.

All of these are given time and just SMARTLY employed, totally significant elements to the grander story, which then only makes the endgame here even more provocative, memorable, and persuasive in the messages we’re taking in. This, of course, becomes my first time witnessing Parren on screen and to say she didn’t disappoint would be an unfathomable understatement, as the actress completely dominates it here through her role as Lara, a women skilled at her job and who only wishes to continue to excel until her computer decides it’s time for an update that turns into a waking nightmare for her. Suddenly thrust into a realm of flustered disbelief that then starts building into self-doubt, others around her aren’t much help, and the realization she gets presented with could give her a new lease on accepting herself–or shake her world apart forever.

It’s a performance so filled with excellently delivered comedic timing as well as full-0n, emotionally-charged vulnerability as her character’s actuality is fracturing in such an extreme (plus extremely clever!) manner, and Parren just elicits every kind of reaction from you as the viewer through such a volatile and stirringly raw, energetic role to tackle, making you FEEL each moment with purposeful, skilled ease. Primary supporting appearances begin with Henry van Loon as Daniel, Lara’s apparently longstanding boyfriend whose role to play as the events arise with her is far beyond ordinary and where you feel both anger and a certain degree of heartbreak for him. Thekla Reuten is Pam, an enigmatic woman who ends up at Lara’s office along with Daniel for quite the whopper of a discussion.

Juliette van Ardenne is Lara’s boss at the record label who has more than a hard time attempting to explain her valued co-workers sudden erratic behavior in the office on this particular day. Additional supporting appearances are made by Asma El Mouden as another of Lara’s co-workers, Sophie Höppener as Billie, a potential hire for the company who may have second thoughts after her interview session, Joep Vermolen as a handyman in the office to fix something and has a rather odd run-in with Lara, and Sieger Sloot, via voice only, as the hapless customer service rep who has the “joy” of trying to be Lara’s initial assistance when her Captcha refuses to work, and who could become the catalyst for a LOT more. So, in total, “I’m Not A Robot” is a complete winner on all levels, outstanding in portraying our reliance on tech, the innate questions it might begin to solicit to and from us, and our constant search for self-identity.

Perhaps even more importantly, if there was ever a film that made you want to absolutely start questioning reality, in the most shrewdly, fancifully entertaining ways of course, then this is unequivocally IT!

STAR RATING (out of 5):

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!

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