Origin of the Species

Abigail Child / Japan, United States / 2021 / European Premiere / 72 min.

synopsis

Today’s state of robotics and artificial intelligence is the topic of this reflective documentary dealing with the assumption that just now, we may be experiencing a turning point exhibited by the birth of a brand new, completely artificial species. Its diversity manifests itself, among others, in a plurality of visualisations of how such an autonomous machine might look like. Whether it should resemble humans, or just simulate some of their functions, whether it should be fully independent or completely subordinated to its maker. Apart from technological difficulties, moral dilemmas start popping up. And, along with them, a seemingly paradoxical question: What is the real point of this at this stage of development?

„Hitchcock used to say that after he had the script, he had the film. My work process is different: it involves finding/discovering the structure in the editing.“ (Abigail Child)

biography

Abigail Child (1950) is an American filmmaker and writer. Already since the 1970s, she has focused on experimentations with the written text, audiovisual and other media. She has made over 30 films and video installations. Ji.hlava IDFF has screened her documentary Acts and Intermissions (2017).