Ik ben geen robot

So, this is basically the first act of COMPANION (2025). The fact that these two movies came out around the same time makes me wonder how the interconnectedness shared by people all over the globe has turned us into a hive-mind of sorts. The increasingly dystopian world we're living in is making us respond to the same conundrums.

The short is pretty entertaining; the 20 minutes go by at a brisk pace. You may think of it as a short episode of Black Mirror. The actor who played the protagonist really sells her character. After a while, thanks to the conviction with which she plays the character, you kinda start expecting the story to run the length of a feature film, which, I guess, is the best compliment one can bestow upon a short. But as a high-concept story, the central idea of the film definitely lacks the novelty factor, especially considering the slew of films involving AI we've been seeing come out lately.

If there were ever to be an award made for a relatable film, then this might just win it for me too. Those bloody "Captcha" screens that tell you to pick out the motor bike and yet never let you on - regardless how many goes you have! It's good to know it's not just me, though, as music producer "Lara" (Ellen Parren) finds herself in exactly the same predicament. Try as she might, it's not having it - it reckons she's clearly not an human. The IT man can't help - indeed his only suggestion is that she might, actually, be a robot! A slight contretemps ensues and that just gets her back to an unrelenting square one. Plan B. There's a questionnaire to fill out - but that's more of a psychological evaluation and the more it goes on the more it, and maybe even she, is convinced she's a bot! "I know, I'll call my boyfriend Daan". Surely he'd know? Assuming she can find somewhere quiet to chat with him, maybe she can become reassured? Then again, perhaps he might just make matters worse. The hand-held photography and the increasingly intrusive digital soundtrack start to help add a degree of intense menace to an already quite enthralling story that requires quite a few deep breaths all round as the ending provides us with quite a few unexpected twists! Worth a watch, I'd say.

"I'm Not a Robot," directed by Victoria Warmerdam, is an extraordinary short film that masterfully blends humor, emotion, and thought-provoking themes. It challenges our understanding of identity in an increasingly digital world with an intriguing and refreshingly original concept.

Ellen Parren delivers a standout performance as Lara, navigating the delicate balance between absurdity and genuine self-reflection. Warmerdam's direction is sharp, blending subtle satire with poignant moments that linger long after the credits roll.

Visually striking and emotionally resonant, the film is both entertaining and deeply profound. "I'm Not a Robot" is a cinematic gem that deserves every bit of the acclaim it's received. A must-watch for anyone seeking art that entertains while encouraging introspection.

Starts off creepy in a quirky way, then gets somewhat annoyingly too similar to classic sci-fi; becomes a black comedy with unfortunately heavy-handed commentary; finally heads back toward a tragic tone, but without finality.

It was occasionally hilarious, I'll give it that. A certain character definitely needs to play more of these satisfyingly slouching, hangdog characters semi-ashamed of themselves. Be a lot more entertaining in an actual comedy.

I had thought it was going to be an allusion to autistic people being flagged as robots by AI (the IRONY), e.g., in academia, where their writing styles are somehow mistaken for plagiarism. Kind of wish it had-particularly after the reference to a detached, standards-compliant version of workplace diversity.

A "diversity" that blatantly excludes and stigmatizes anyone who doesn't make sufficient eye contact, isn't "outgoing" enough in a champagne-and-mind-games way, isn't "a people person" in an antisocial, insular bubble that treats people as disposable resources.

I think there's huge potential to depict the dehumanization of humans while anthropomorphizing machines; the (unbelievably common) self-centered stupidity it must take to commit such ethical crimes because an advertisement, a blog, a news article or university said that's okay; then to refuse to consider the possibility of being wrong.

The basic plot of I'm Not a Robot has been done, over and over. Time to explore greater depths with this concept. But that would require courage and creativity to tackle controversies, and withstand public mudslinging. Hope these creators will challenge themselves to do so.

"I'm Not a Robot" is a sharp, timely provocation that confronts humanity's growing dependence on technology while questioning the very essence of what makes us human. The story revolves around Lara (Ellen Parren), a music producer who, after repeatedly failing CAPTCHA tests, begins to doubt her own humanity. From this quirky premise, the film weaves a narrative that blends humor, tension, and a hint of melancholy, exploring the thin line between what makes us human and what draws us closer to machines.

Parren's performance is one of the film's standout elements. She portrays Lara with remarkable authenticity, shifting between frustration, doubt, and despair in a way that draws the audience into her existential crisis. The supporting characters, like Daniel (Henry van Loon), with his awkward shyness, and Pam (Thekla Reuten), with her detached coldness, serve as perfect counterpoints, amplifying Lara's sense of unease. These interactions effectively highlight the emotional isolation that often accompanies modern technology, reinforcing the film's exploration of human disconnection in the digital age.

From a technical perspective, "I'm Not a Robot" is flawless in its use of settings and soundtrack. The choice of locations, such as garages and stairwells, enhances the claustrophobic, introspective tone of the story. The inclusion of Radiohead's "Creep" brilliantly encapsulates the central theme: the dilemma of being special versus being easily replaceable. The unexpected ending is a final punch that leaves viewers reflecting uneasily on how technology shapes our lives and redefines human connection. This short film is a compelling and thought-provoking work that challenges the boundaries between fiction and reality in a truly memorable way.