Simon Jaquemet’s new frontier: Exploring AI in cinema and beyond
A visionary director’s next move
Swiss director Simon Jaquemet, fresh from the world premiere of his film Electric Child at Locarno, is already setting his sights on a new project. This time, he plans to adapt the novella The Lifecycle of Software Objects by a renowned U.S. science fiction writer. This writer’s work has previously inspired the critically acclaimed film Arrival.
Jaquemet describes the novella as “very clever and complex,” and he is also contemplating a move into television series. This potential series would take place in the same universe as Electric Child, but after a catastrophic AI event. “With series, you have more time – you can make it more complex. Some shows are even more daring than films these days,” he remarked.
The provocative narrative of Electric Child
In the meantime, Jaquemet is bound to spark intense discussions with his new film, Electric Child. The film mirrors many AI-related conversations currently happening at festivals. It portrays a happy couple, Sonny and Akiko (played by Elliott Crosset Hove and Rila Fukushima), who face a devastating crisis when their newborn son falls gravely ill. Sonny, already working with AI super-intelligence, turns to it for help.
“I started thinking about this film a long time ago – even before ChatGPT was a thing. Then this whole thing just blew up,” Jaquemet shared. “It’s surprising even to me, how fast it’s advancing.”
The duality of AI: Fascination and fear
While Jaquemet is intrigued by new technology and is set to participate in an art contest at an AI conference in Las Vegas, he admits to feeling conflicted. “I got into coding and I use this stuff all the time. I love it, especially when I can use it in the artistic context, but yes – I am also worried and I am a bit pessimistic. It’s clear that AI will cost us many jobs and we aren’t quite ready for that disruption.”
In Electric Child, the boundaries between humans and their fast-learning creations, portrayed by Sandra Guldberg Kampp, become increasingly blurred. “My film plays a lot with this fear of AI. It exaggerates it too, coming up with the most apocalyptic scenarios. But it’s an interesting question: How do we position ourselves in a situation like that, as humans?”
A personal reflection on human curiosity
Jaquemet draws inspiration from his own experiences, including playing a survival video game where players occasionally encounter AI. “I thought it would be interesting if you could meet AI this way. The whole thing has something to do with human curiosity – we want to recognize ourselves in the machine and find out things about ourselves through interaction with an artificial brain.”
Produced by Michela Pini, Aurelius Eisenreich, and Jaquemet for 8horses, Electric Child was co-produced by several international partners. Visit Films handles sales.
Science fiction with a metaphysical twist
Jaquemet appreciates science fiction that “doesn’t rely too heavily on special effects.” Instead, he prefers to explore metaphysical ideas. “This film is kind of realistic but it gradually ventures into a more unrealistic side, and that can be done on a very low budget. There is Ex Machina and there is Her [in terms of references] but I was also thinking about books by Stanisław Lem.”
Lem, a cult Polish writer, is best known for Solaris, which was adapted by Andrei Tarkovsky and later by Steven Soderbergh in 2002. “Apart from Solaris, I read Golem XIV [which introduced a ‘lecture’ given by a supercomputer] and Fables for Robots. They are important to me because they explore whether machines have feelings,” said Jaquemet.
The emotional core of Electric Child
One thing is certain – Jaquemet’s characters are deeply human, grappling with the pain of their newborn’s illness. “This storyline was at the core of the film from the beginning, although many people told me it was a taboo. Without it, it would be a different film. A lot of this technology is about our dream of becoming immortal and in a way, AI could actually give us immortality – we could live on forever, in a simulation. But I am not sure if it’s that desirable.”
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Electric Child.
Additional insights for cinema and TV series enthusiasts
Jaquemet’s work is a testament to the evolving landscape of science fiction in cinema. His films challenge viewers to think deeply about the implications of AI and our relationship with technology. For those interested in exploring similar themes, consider watching Ex Machina and Her, both of which delve into the complexities of human-AI interactions.
For more trailers and information on these films, visit:
A deeper dive into music for film lovers
Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone for films like Electric Child. For those who appreciate the intersection of music and cinema, exploring soundtracks on platforms like Spotify can enhance the viewing experience. Consider listening to the soundtracks of Ex Machina and Her to immerse yourself in the atmospheric scores that complement these thought-provoking films.
For more music, visit:
By integrating these multimedia resources, readers can gain a richer understanding of the themes and emotions that drive Jaquemet’s work and the broader genre of science fiction in cinema.