Why New Sci-Fi Film 'I AM' Has Got Us Questioning Our Relationship With Technology!

Just as the Cleveland International Film Festival comes to a close this week, we got the chance to attend a premier screening of new sci-fi movie 'I Am'. If you're running out of ideas for what to watch or you fancy something a little different then read on for our full review of 'I Am'.
First of all, let us point out that you don't have to be a keen sci-fi fan to sit and enjoy this short film. It's intriguing and will leave you gripped right from the start. If you've ever been curious to know how much our life is controlled by technology or wondered how the world might look a few years from now then this short film will definitely stir up your imagination!
 

Watch the Trailer for 'I AM'

What is 'I AM' About?

I AM questions the public discourse on robot ethics and raises questions for which there are no answers (yet). This female led drama premieres at Cinequest Film Festival and has also been selected for Cleveland International Film Festival.
One day, the withdrawn Noé finds a motionless android in the forest, takes it with her and reactivates it. It's the beginning of a strange relationship. Far too late, Noé realizes that the android is about to copy her personality.
I AM was written by Florens Huhn, directed by Jerry Hoffmann, photographed by Lena Katharina Krause and produced by Stella Flicker. The German collective of four filmmakers have come together for a second time (after their first internationally acclaimed short “MALL”) to create this unique science fiction short about the special relationship between a woman and an android.

Florens Huhn has a modern style of writing, that often circles around topics of power structures and identity. Lena Katharina Krause’s exceptional camera work is evocative and bold.
Stella Flicker is an Austrian film producer living in Germany. Her main aim is to portrait a realistic, contemporary representation of our diverse society, while leaving behind outdated clichés and stereotypes. She’s devoted her creative work to uncover political and social disparities and inequalities and bring them to a wider audience. Alongside studying film production in Hamburg, Germany, she has gained experience working on numerous renowned film productions. Stella is currently working for a weekly German tv series for the public-service television broadcaster ZDF. I AM is Stella’s thesis movie.

Jerry Hoffmann is a director and actor of German and Ghanaian roots. He was discovered by his acting agent at 15 and starred in his first movie at 18, as one of the leads in the critically acclaimed film SHAHADA, which premiered in the competition at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival.
After appearing in numerous productions for Film and Theatre (a supporting role in HITMAN AGENT 47‘, and the lead in HEIL, which premiered at the Karlovy Vary Filmfest in 2015) he decided to focus more on the production side of film and finished his studies with an MFA in Directing at the Hamburg Media School. His various shorts have been very well received. MALL und 90% premiered 2020 at the well known Max Ophüls Festival in Germany and are currently traveling the world. Jerry is a member of the German Film Academy and represented by CAA. He is currently working in Turkey in an untitled international Netflix production. I AM is Jerry's thesis movie.
Cleveland International Film Festival runs from April 7th to April 20th.

Reviewing Short Film 'I AM'

Admittedly, we didn't know what to expect from 'I Am' but with a runtime of approximately 40 minutes, it makes for easy and unintimidating viewing. With just two female characters in the entirety of the movie, the story is fast paced and concise, leaving no time for boredom or confusion. One of the two characters in the film is actually a robot. However, the plot has a sense of realism about it, delving deep into issues involving our overuse of technology in our everyday lives. This robot isn't the type of robot that's going to go out on to the street to demolish the city with blazing machine guns. This robot is going to duplicate your personality and destroy your identity.
 
The scary reality is that we're already seeing very subtle signs of technology and Smart devices manipulating our everyday lives. While the majority of Smart home devices are fantastic and make life easier for us, they have been known to use our data without our knowledge and let's be honest, we can't be completely sure how much of our lives they get to hear and more importantly, who's listening in at the other end?! It reminded us of the time we attended a McAfee talk with one of their leading scientists. It's worrying stuff and this is how we felt from watching 'I Am', but it would also be interesting to hear what you take away from the film.
 
The entire cast of 'I AM' have done an excellent job of creating this film. Stella Flicker - the producer of 'I Am', has really brought her vision to life in this short and sweet production that will have you gripped, shocked and increasingly curious! It's such a well put-together movie and the dance scene, where the two characters are dressed in stunning sequined dresses, was such a beautiful and unexpected scene. 'I Am' will certainly have you questioning many things, including artificial intelligence and the presence of robots in or lives. That said, the film will probably speak to its audience in different ways, with each spectator taking away their own unique ideas. Happy viewing!!