'Children of artificial intelligence', just released on our on demand platforms, transports us to a future poised between the concrete and the possible. The film starring Emilia Clarke (the British actress famous for the role of Daenerys in 'Game of Thrones' arrives straight from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. And it does so to immerse viewers in a futuristic New York, which reflects many of ethical and social issues of our present.
Rachel, a career woman, and Alvy, a botanist with an ecological soul, are faced with the prospect of an absolutely unconventional (for us contemporaries) pregnancy. I saw it for you, and I recommend it: in the meantime, I'll try to tell you about it with a promise. Which? No spoilers, obviously. Just a trailer, for starters.
A future within reach
The future described in the film by the French director Sophie Barthes it is not a distant or unimaginable universe. It is even a plausible tomorrow, where technology has integrated almost imperceptibly into everyday life. In this world, human beings, despite being surrounded by all sorts of technological innovations, continue to struggle with the same fundamental issues: love, family, personal fulfillment.
This futuristic scenario is not simply a playground for technological wonders, of which there are many (come on AI assistants vertical farms, from attention to the microbiome printers 3D for food, from mental health high-tech ai travel to mars passing through the technological “neofeudalism”.). Rather, it is a mirror reflection of our current anxieties and dilemmas. The contrast between technological progress and the human desire for genuine connection, authentic experiences and a sense of belonging becomes a powerful leitmotif, which echoes “Her”, Spike Jonze's 2013 film, which is a bit of a putative father. But let's go back to motherhood, or rather: to pregnancy, tout court, in one artificial womb. Let's go back to the story, starting with the characters.
Interpretations and characters: Emilia Clarke, a surprise
Emilia Clarke e Chiwetel Ejiofor emerge as true stars in “Children of Artificial Intelligence,” bringing forth memorable and extraordinarily authentic performances.
Emilia Clarke in particular, who has already shone in prominent roles, literally reinvents herself in this film. Her portrayal of Rachel is a blend of vulnerability and strength, with a hint of restraint that adds depth to her character. Clarke manages to capture the essence of a modern woman grappling with the ethical and personal dilemmas of a technological future, offering the audience a performance rich in emotional and intellectual facets.
On the other hand, it must be said, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Alvy gives a performance that is a perfect counterpoint to Clarke's. His character is at the same time a dreamer and a realist, who clearly expresses the internal conflict of a man halfway between his ecological aspirations and the needs of an increasingly technological world. Together, the two will face a pregnancy like you've never seen it.
A delicate balance between human and artificial
Rachel and Alvy's story in 'Children of Artificial Intelligence' opens a dialogue about the interaction between humanity and advanced technology, posing an essential question: to what extent should we allow technology to intertwine with our most personal and meaningful moments? This reflection, central to the film, expands beyond the theme of motherhood and fatherhood assisted by artificial intelligence, touching on the increasingly discussed topic of assisted fertilization and surrogacy.
Barthes uses science fiction storytelling not only to entertain, but also to explore the essence of humanity in an era dominated by technological advancement. Emilia Clarke helps, with her three-dimensionality, to detach the film from the genre of pure science fiction to bring it to the level of a real social criticism.
Rachel and Alvy's choice to resort to an artificial pregnancy, in fact, is not only a technological dilemma but also a profound ethical and emotional issue that forces them to re-examine their beliefs, their desires and their fears. And perhaps, to tell us how to navigate this new world, without losing sight of what makes us truly human.
'Children of artificial intelligence' is a work not to be underestimated. If you can, take a look at it.
