Hello everyone! This is Victoria Warmerdam, the writer and director of I’m Not a Robot, and Trent, its producer. Our short film tells the story of Lara, a music producer who spirals into an existential crisis after repeatedly failing a CAPTCHA test-leading her to question whether she might actually be a robot. Through a dark comedic lens, we explore themes of identity, self-determination, love, and technology in a world where the line between humanity and artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly blurred. We’d love to hear your thoughts and are happy to answer any questions in the coming days. Thank you for watching-we hope you enjoy I’m Not a Robot!🤖
The lead is an amazing actress. The minute movements of her face as it's dawning on her, as she spirals...just phenomenal acting! What a great film. Bravo to everyone involved!
Very “Black Mirror”esque. Gave me the chills. Well done and thank you for offering it for free on RUclips. Excellent main actress…she seems so real! Hahaha!! XOXOXO
Thank you so much-what a wonderful comment! We’re thrilled you got Black Mirror vibes and that it gave you chills (in the best way, we hope)! 😊 And yes, our lead actress is absolutely phenomenal-so real, it’s almost unsettling! 😉 Thanks for watching, and we’re so glad you enjoyed it. XOXOXO back at you! 🤖✨🎥
Beautiful cinematography, sound, direction and acting. Love how the story is strong enough to not rely on special effects or ridiculous fight scenes. Great job!
Wow, I’ve watched many Oscar-qualifying shorts this year-it’s a hobby of mine-but this one truly stands out. So subtle, smart, and full of tension, it even feels shorter than its 22 minutes, while most shorts tend to feel too long. Kudos to everyone involved, and I’m really hoping you make it to the Oscar shortlist. You’d have my vote!
Thank you! So glad the story hooked you-and yep, CAPTCHA was our sneaky little clue. Turns out, it’s not just annoying for humans! 😉 Thanks for watching! 🤖✨
@@cynthiamason4069 Thank you so much! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the twists and turns-unexpectedness is what we love most, and we try our best to avoid predictable stories. It’s so great that you’re sharing this-Victoria will be absolutely delighted to hear it! 🤖✨👏
@@2degucitas Thank you! Honestly, we don’t know if someone has used this premise before either, and we’re just as surprised-it seems so obvious and easy in hindsight! Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
What a wonderful compliment! We’re thrilled you enjoyed it and honored it stands out as one of the best shorts you’ve seen. Sharing it with viewers like you makes it all worth it. Thanks for watching and supporting us! 🤖✨🎥
Brilliant! Pacing is perfect. Acting is perfect. Script is perfect. Soundtrack is perfect. Cinematography is perfect. Story is incredibly relevant to our times.
It's amazing, yeah, and I loved the Dutch and the actors and the cinematography and everything you mentioned. It's relevant to our times, but don't be fooled into sympathising with chatbots.
Wow, thank you so much for such an incredible compliment! We’re beyond thrilled that all resonated with you. Knowing the film felt relevant and impactful to you truly means the world. Thanks for watching and sharing your kind words!
@scutoid_ Thank you so much-we’re thrilled you loved the Dutch vibes, the actors, the cinematography, and everything in between! And fair point-sympathizing with chatbots might just be how they win us over. 😉 Thanks for watching and diving into the layers of the story! 🤖✨🇳🇱
Your short film is a brilliant blend!🖤 You’ve done an incredible job exploring the complexities of love, self-determination, and the growing influence of technology in such a unique way. Truly captivating and imaginative storytelling! 🖤
Thank you so much for watching and for your amazing comment! We’re glad you enjoyed our little mix of love, independence, and a sprinkle of tech chaos. It’s always nice to hear when people appreciate both the robots and the feels. Your support fuels us-almost like a RoboPartner upgrade! 🖤
I saw this at the The Strand in Vicksburg Mississippi as part of the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Great film. “I am a person” is such a great line in the context of the scene.
Thank you so much for catching it during the Manhattan Short Film Festival-it’s amazing to hear how far the film has traveled! “I am a person” is such a pivotal line, and we’re thrilled it resonated with you in that moment. It really is our own favorite scene, and the heart of Lara’s journey. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! 🖤✨
Creep really captures the heart of Lara’s journey, and that haunting chorus felt like it was made for her story. We’re thrilled it resonated with you-your support means so much!
Dear Victoria Warmerdam, this is absolutely great, a real piece of genius, you've earned an "Oscar"/Academy Award - (and as to "Stone2home", s.b. - "I love it when when thinking people make great short films!" - I even love more, when thinking people make long films!
@@victoriawarmerdam982 Yes, and I absolutely mean it. btw: I wonder if this "short" hasn't the potential for a TV-show (10x50 min.) ... -, or am I too much in mainstream culture-industrial thinking?
@@a.k.bartleby4295 Thank you, and I truly appreciate your enthusiasm! There’s definitely a lot to explore in this universe and with these characters. While I’m currently developing it into a feature film rather than a series, I’m excited about expanding the story in a way that dives even deeper into the world we’ve created. Stay tuned!
This short was fabulous. My only criticism is that it ended too soon. I can't wait to see what happens next. Also, fabulous music choice for the topic.
Thank you so much-so glad you enjoyed it! We hear you about the ending-trust us, we’re just as excited about what comes next! 😉 And we’re thrilled you loved the music choice; it felt like a perfect match for the story. Stay tuned for more in the future!
When she started bleeding, I thought making her believe she’s a bot was a way to control a human woman. But it eventually drove her to madness and self-destruction.
Wow, that’s such a fascinating take! The idea of using "bot" as a form of control is definitely a layer worth thinking about. The blurred line between human and robot in the film raises so many questions about power, identity, and autonomy. Thanks for sharing your insight-it’s great to see how deeply you’ve engaged with the story! 🖤🤖✨
This was my take as well, that the boyfriend and the handler were gaslighting robots the girl epitomized a woman with total loss of self. I suppose robot-boyfriend is just a metaphor for the ultimate covert narcissist
@@kathrynengel278 Absolutely! Autonomy, labeling, and gaslighting are all central to the film, and you’re spot on-that’s exactly what he’s doing. So glad you picked up on that element! It’s fascinating to see all these layered readings and interpretations, and it’s incredible that it resonated with you on this level. Thanks so much for sharing your perspective-it’s so cool to hear!
Thank you so much-that means a lot to the entire team! We’re so glad the film resonated with you and appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. It’s support like this that makes it all worthwhile!
This is an exceptional short film. I’m big into philosophy, spirituality, and sci-fi. Wow. What a pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing this piece of art with everyone. Great job to everyone who made it happen!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! It’s amazing to hear how the film connected with your love for philosophy, spirituality, and sci-fi-that’s exactly the space we wanted to explore. We’re thrilled it was such a pleasure to watch and that it sparked something meaningful for you. The whole team will be overjoyed to hear this-thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
What an incredible compliment! The team put so much heart into every detail, and they’ll be over the moon to hear this. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
Thank you so much-so glad you stumbled upon the film and enjoyed it! And even more happy you caught this special detail about the VW. 😊 Fun fact: the VW Beetle is actually electric! It’s an oldtimer retrofitted with batteries, just like Lara, our main character. 🚗🔋🤖 Thanks for watching and catching that detail!✨
Thank you so much for noticing! The sound design of the VW Beetle was actually based on reality since the Beetle was retrofitted with an electric battery-it sounded like that on set too! 😊 In post, we tweaked it slightly to carefully blend the retro feel of the car with a futuristic, electric vibe-just like the world of the film. We’re thrilled you appreciated that detail. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! 🚗
I saw this at the The Strand in Vicksburg Mississippi as part of the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Great film. “I am a person” is such a great line in the context of the scene. The question the end of the film brought to me is that although she can’t choose between life and death can her choices have other consequences?
That’s such a profound question-and exactly the kind of reflection we hoped the film would spark! It’s the tension between agency and limitation that lies at the core of her journey, and we will take you all on that journey in the feature version of the film :)
We’re actually working on expanding this concept into a feature film, so stay tuned for more twists and turns. We can’t wait to dive even deeper into this world. Thanks for watching and for your enthusiasm!
At first I did follow the narrative of the main lead in an existential crisis but I was surprised to find the dialogue addressing feminist topics, especially “my body, my choice.” Very appropriate in these times. Thank you, I needed this.
Don't know much about "art" and don't claim to, but I know what I enjoy when I experience it. I truly enjoyed this movie, well done and thank you for putting it on RUclips.
Thank you so much! You don’t need to know “art” to appreciate something that resonates (which is very refreshing) and we’re thrilled you enjoyed the film. Thanks for taking the time to watch and share your thoughts!
I'm a slightly older model. Back in are day we had the empathy test. Surprisingly, it worked well and almost anybotty could use it. Everyone in this thought-provoking film is a bot, except our hero. Remember folks' computers are just a tool. Like a hammer. If the tool is unable to fulfill its intended task, it will be forgotten and become a footnote in the book of human pursuits. What you see today will not last long, I just hope we survive it before we all go looney.
The idea of an "empathy test" as a way to distinguish humanity is such a poignant nod to the classics, and it’s intriguing to think of tools, whether hammers or bots, as fleeting artifacts of human innovation. The question is, as you say, whether we’ll survive this chapter of technological evolution without losing ourselves in the process. Let’s hope we keep our humanity intact-and maybe a little sanity too!
Surely she wouldn't stop there. A train at full speed, a car crusher, a wood chipper, so many things to try. I wonder if the company has a lifetime warranty with full replacement policy on their products if she manages to succeed. (Is her brain backed up? The torture!) Or maybe they'll perform a factory reset before she can try again. In either case she would inevitably find out again, restarting the loop. Maybe her boyfriend gets better at gaslighting her every loop? So many things to explore.
Thank you so much-so glad you enjoyed it! 😊 The team worked hard to create a score that perfectly matched the tone, and it’s wonderful to hear it resonated with you. Thanks for watching! 🎶✨🤖
This is remnant of Alfred Hitchcock theater The way he makes you look at every day things differently. This will haunt me every time I see a Captcha. Brilliant.
Thank you so much-what an incredible comparison! If we’ve managed to make CAPTCHAs even a fraction as haunting as Hitchcock made birds or showers, we’ll take it as a win. 😉 So glad the film resonated with you-thanks for watching!
Thank you so much - It’s incredible to hear that the film felt important to you. We hoped to spark some reflection on themes like identity, autonomy, and technology’s role in our lives, so it’s amazing to know it resonated in that way. Thank you for watching and sharing!
Thank you so much-glad you enjoyed it! We love embracing the unusual (and we’ll gladly take the ‘well done’ part too!). Thanks for watching and celebrating the unconventional with us! 😊✨
How lovely to have decided on impulse to watch this short film posted by the New Yorker and it just so happens to be in a language I speak. Mooie filmpje! Ik kijk uit na de feature film :)
Wat leuk om te horen-bedankt voor je spontane beslissing om de film te kijken! 😊 Zo fijn dat je ervan genoten hebt, en geweldig dat je uitkijkt naar de feature film.
We haven’t seen that one yet, so thanks for bringing it to our attention-it’s officially on our watchlist now! 😊🎶 Glad the film sparked the connection, and thanks for watching! 🤖✨
She wasn't a robot. She was gaslighted. The guy bought her a huge life insurance policy, just like he had for Olivia, and conspired with his new girlfriend to drive her crazy. Together, they hacked the poor woman's computer making her doubt her identity. When she jumped to her death and lay there bleeding, she realized in her last moments that she'd been duped.
That’s such a fascinating interpretation-thank you for sharing! While the story intentionally leaves room for different readings, your take on it as a gaslighting conspiracy is a chilling and deeply unsettling possibility. It really speaks to the power dynamics and manipulation at play in the film. Thanks for watching and diving into the complexities of the story!
I feel so liberated! Now I understand all those dreams I had about rolling around in a vault filled with integrated circuits instead of gold. And it explains why my eyeballs spin near magnets. And why the stuff in the toilet looks just like when I swallowed it. I really don't care. But no more showers or baths when I have a break in my skin. After all, everything we hear about our births and childhoods is all hearsay. It's the same for us as for humans.
Thank you so much-so glad you enjoyed it, and we couldn’t agree more about the lead actress being spectacular! As for the CAPTCHA, it seems even humans can’t escape its grasp. Maybe it’s secretly testing if you’re a robot! 😉 Thanks for sticking with it and sharing your thoughts!
This is the REAL Turing Test...... Not to see whether or not a human can determine what's human or a bot...... But rather, to see if the BOT can even tell that its a BOT and not a human. Although I have very assorted moral and ethical opinions about this. I don't really feel like it would be acceptable to keep a BOT ignorant to its own identity and to allow it to think it is human. Excellent short film !
Thoroughly enjoyed the film, where every detail seems to have been thought through and mattered. Did anyone else notice that cars on the parking lot were all 1970s vintage, as was Lara’s dress style and all the office details? And was the VW Beetle he was driving making electric car noises?
Very well noticed-spot on with all of it! The Beetle does indeed have an electric battery. The idea in this world is that all cars have gone electric but with a nostalgic nod to retro styles-because let’s face it, we all love a bit of retro, don’t we? 😉 Thanks for watching and catching those details!
Very much enjoyed. The acting, writing, cinematography and sound design are all spot on. Nothing to jar me out of the very interesting story. The moral questions and many other social issues touched on here are very provocative and some are defi nitely applicable to the recent developments in both technology and communication that impact modern society. Without getting too much into the weeds though; a very pleasant watch. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the film and that all the elements-acting, writing, cinematography, and sound design-worked seamlessly for you. It’s wonderful to hear that the story resonated, especially with the moral and social questions we aimed to explore. And we agree-sometimes it’s best to let the themes linger without overanalyzing. We’re so glad you found it a pleasant watch. Thanks for taking the time to share your insights! 🤖✨🎥
Great question! Let’s just say, she’s not your average robot. Without giving too much away, her design blurs the line between human and machine in ways that even she has to figure out. Thanks for watching and diving into the details!
Actually with nano bots hybrids might be creared in existing ppl but to think this over they made westworld about them very realistically made to seem like organic humans. If they can think it, it can be achieved.
Great to hear you’re looking forward to it-we are too! We’re developing the script as we speak, so we already know what happens next... and what came before. 😉 More to come in the future, hopefully in the form of a feature film! Stay tuned!
Made me thought of Spielberg A.I. are we humans open enough to have empaty and to embrace a different self that is not human without them rebelling against our way of life... Perfect short in those polarization times thank you kindly!
The connection to Spielberg’s A.I. is such a great one-it also asks those deep questions about empathy and how we interact with beings that challenge our definition of “self.” Can we embrace something non-human without projecting our fears onto it? We’re so glad the film resonated with you, especially in these polarized times. Thank you for watching and sharing your insight-it means the world to us! 🤖✨🖤
Thank you so much! We’re still pinching ourselves over making the Oscar shortlist-someone tell us it’s real! Hearing that you enjoyed the film means the world to us. It’s a wild ride, and we’re just happy to have you along for the journey. Thanks for watching and celebrating with us!
Haha, fair point! Maybe “dark comedic lens” doesn’t quite capture the full shade of it. Let’s just say we leaned all the way into the dark and twisted humor for this one. 😉 Thanks for watching and catching the tone!
"Hello everyone! This is Victoria Warmerdam, the writer and director of I’m Not a Robot, and Trent, its producer. Our short film tells the story, tells the story, tells the story...error."
Hooked me in really quickly and then explored a lot of areas related to what it means to be human. I’ll think of this brilliant shirt when I am caught in a CAPTCHA.
this is wonderful-so glad the film hooked you and got you thinking about what it means to be human! And hey, if a CAPTCHA reminds you of the story, we’ll take that as a win. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! 🤖✨
Simply profound, It calls into question all the important things that are changing humanity As I see more and more people retreat into their validation echo chambers, the gap between bot and human is narrowing in a very uncomfortable way. Bots do not need democracy
That’s a wonderful comment-thank you! We’re thrilled that you found it profound. We’ve worked hard to achieve that depth, so it’s very gratifying that it resonated with you. And yes, the future will certainly see a narrowing gap between bots and humans-something we’re excited to explore further in our upcoming feature.
@KASH10043 It’s true, and that’s part of what makes exploring these themes so compelling-and sometimes uncomfortable. The line between human flaws and programmed behaviors can get pretty blurry. Thanks for watching and for reflecting on this-it’s exactly the kind of conversation we hoped to spark. 🖤
Haha, no kidding! Turing tests have come a long way-especially when the line between human and AI gets this blurry. Thanks for watching and joining the conversation! 🤖✨
Thank you so much for highlighting the soundscape! We absolutely love our sound designer, Evelien van der Molen, and our composer, Merlijn Snitker. They both did an incredible job bringing the audio elements to life.
Very moving, I even went to the mirror to check if I am not a robot, but how can you know 😅 Basically I am attached to my life and sometimes I feel like despite of free will I can’t change my scenario) Strong movie, thank you
Haha, yes, you’re onto something! That exact thought crossed our minds while writing the script and brainstorming ideas for the feature version-Lara definitely deserves a little revenge. Who knows? Maybe that “After you” moment will find its way into the feature film! Thanks for watching and sparking the idea again. 😉✨🤖
Haha, deep stuff there-part existential, part Radiohead lyrics, and all vibes! 🤖✨ Maybe we’re all a little bit of everything: robots, angels, and creeps, just trying to figure it out. Thanks for watching and bringing the philosophy (and the tunes)! 🖤🎶
No need to apologize-it’s a great question! 🙄The lines between human and bot are intentionally blurry in our story, and we have our answer, but what do you think? Is she really a bot, or is there more to it? Thanks for watching! 🤖✨
Wow, this is darkly comedic but also highly relevant. The more I read through the comments, the deeper I began to understand and interpret the implications for us. Thank you for expanding my awareness. In the previous comments, the word "autonomy" is used but I submit that Lara is a slave.
We’re so glad the dark comedy and themes resonated with you-it’s amazing to hear how the story sparked deeper reflection. You bring up such an interesting perspective with the idea of Lara being a slave, cause she kind of is, and aren't we all slightly? It really adds another layer to the conversation about autonomy and control. It’s exactly these kinds of interpretations we hoped to inspire. Thank you for watching and sharing your insights! 🖤🤖✨
We’re thrilled you loved how Creep was used-it felt like such a natural fit for the story. And yes, we definitely see the parallels with that iconic Black Mirror episode. It’s fascinating to explore the “other side” of those themes, isn’t it? Thanks for watching and diving into the layers! 🤖✨🎶
It is very entertaining and well put together. But it also opens up a very real Pandora's Box. I think leaving it open-ended would probably have made it even more intriguing and disturbing, like an earworm, eating away at our cognitive innards.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment! We’re so glad you found it entertaining and well-crafted. And leaving things more open-ended could have taken the psychological impact to another level, like a lingering earworm. We love hearing these interpretations-it’s exactly the kind of reflection we hoped to inspire. Thanks for watching and sharing your insights!
Great story. Interesting idea about how robots have no more control over their existence (beyond aesthetics) than humans. (Or maybe I should switch the placement of the words “robots” and “humans”)? Any effort to fight it, by either form, only causes suffering - our human, and seemingly bots’, lot.
What a beautifully thoughtful comment-thank you for sharing! The parallels between robots and humans when it comes to control over existence are definitely a central theme, and switching the words “robots” and “humans” makes the line even more poignant. It’s fascinating (and a bit unsettling) to consider that struggle for autonomy as universal, regardless of form. You’ve perfectly captured the bittersweet tone of the story. Thanks for watching and diving so deeply into it! 🤖✨
Only critique. And it's completely silly and should be taken as such, because I love this movie. There is nowhere on earth a human or a robot can call support and get a human to answer :) That being said, this is amazing. Having come out of the jungles of asia after 20 years, being being blocked by countless cpatchas and having my credit and record completely wiped. I can relate in a very specific way.
Haha, fair point! A support line with a real human answering? That might be the most sci-fi part of the whole film! 😉 And wow, your experience sounds like a movie in itself-CAPTCHAs and lost records are their own kind of dystopia. We’re so glad you connected with the story, and thank you for sharing your thoughts (and for the laugh)! 🤖✨📞
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Hello everyone! This is Victoria Warmerdam, the writer and director of I’m Not a Robot, and Trent, its producer. Our short film tells the story of Lara, a music producer who spirals into an existential crisis after repeatedly failing a CAPTCHA test-leading her to question whether she might actually be a robot. Through a dark comedic lens, we explore themes of identity, self-determination, love, and technology in a world where the line between humanity and artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly blurred. We’d love to hear your thoughts and are happy to answer any questions in the coming days. Thank you for watching-we hope you enjoy I’m Not a Robot!🤖
Een uitstekende prestatie!
@@marcdefaoite Thanks!
Loved it! ❤
Was it difficult? To get license for Radiohead's biggest hit??
@@dschonhaut Appreciated
The lead is an amazing actress. The minute movements of her face as it's dawning on her, as she spirals...just phenomenal acting! What a great film. Bravo to everyone involved!
Thanks Andrea! Ellen Parren is so incredibly talented! Really proud of her!
@@victoriawarmerdam982 Yes, she is. What a brilliant film!
I agree. Fantastic
How do you know that she is acting?
Indeed quite convincing. Almost human! Still a bit uncanny though.
This is the best most creative content I have seen on RUclips in as long as I can remember! Thank you, Victoria Warmerdam.
Yes .. thank you
Short films are amazing for innovation
Very “Black Mirror”esque. Gave me the chills. Well done and thank you for offering it for free on RUclips. Excellent main actress…she seems so real! Hahaha!! XOXOXO
Thank you so much-what a wonderful comment! We’re thrilled you got Black Mirror vibes and that it gave you chills (in the best way, we hope)! 😊 And yes, our lead actress is absolutely phenomenal-so real, it’s almost unsettling! 😉 Thanks for watching, and we’re so glad you enjoyed it. XOXOXO back at you! 🤖✨🎥
😃
Beautiful cinematography, sound, direction and acting. Love how the story is strong enough to not rely on special effects or ridiculous fight scenes. Great job!
Wow, I’ve watched many Oscar-qualifying shorts this year-it’s a hobby of mine-but this one truly stands out. So subtle, smart, and full of tension, it even feels shorter than its 22 minutes, while most shorts tend to feel too long. Kudos to everyone involved, and I’m really hoping you make it to the Oscar shortlist. You’d have my vote!
Thank you so much Marijn! The fact that it doesn't feel like 22 minutes is a huge compliment! Wish you were a voter ;) Fingers crossed!
I love the story! It pulled me in immediately - I especially loved how CAPTCHA foreshadowed her identity.
Thank you! So glad the story hooked you-and yep, CAPTCHA was our sneaky little clue. Turns out, it’s not just annoying for humans! 😉 Thanks for watching! 🤖✨
Wonderfully unexpected storyline. 👏 Bravo!
@@cynthiamason4069 Thank you so much! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the twists and turns-unexpectedness is what we love most, and we try our best to avoid predictable stories. It’s so great that you’re sharing this-Victoria will be absolutely delighted to hear it! 🤖✨👏
@@oakmotionpictures9054Clever of you to use it as a premise, surprised no one has before.
@@2degucitas Thank you! Honestly, we don’t know if someone has used this premise before either, and we’re just as surprised-it seems so obvious and easy in hindsight! Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Brilliant. Perfect storytelling. Best short I've seen in years
And we love you for that comment-it just made our day... no, our week! Wow, thank you so much for the kind words.
Really well done. One of the best shorts I have seen.. thank you for the free viewing.
What a wonderful compliment! We’re thrilled you enjoyed it and honored it stands out as one of the best shorts you’ve seen. Sharing it with viewers like you makes it all worth it. Thanks for watching and supporting us! 🤖✨🎥
Brilliant! Pacing is perfect. Acting is perfect. Script is perfect. Soundtrack is perfect. Cinematography is perfect. Story is incredibly relevant to our times.
thankyou for putting my thoughts into words
It's amazing, yeah, and I loved the Dutch and the actors and the cinematography and everything you mentioned. It's relevant to our times, but don't be fooled into sympathising with chatbots.
Wow, thank you so much for such an incredible compliment! We’re beyond thrilled that all resonated with you. Knowing the film felt relevant and impactful to you truly means the world. Thanks for watching and sharing your kind words!
@scutoid_ Thank you so much-we’re thrilled you loved the Dutch vibes, the actors, the cinematography, and everything in between! And fair point-sympathizing with chatbots might just be how they win us over. 😉 Thanks for watching and diving into the layers of the story! 🤖✨🇳🇱
Your short film is a brilliant blend!🖤 You’ve done an incredible job exploring the complexities of love, self-determination, and the growing influence of technology in such a unique way. Truly captivating and imaginative storytelling! 🖤
Thank you so much for watching and for your amazing comment! We’re glad you enjoyed our little mix of love, independence, and a sprinkle of tech chaos. It’s always nice to hear when people appreciate both the robots and the feels. Your support fuels us-almost like a RoboPartner upgrade! 🖤
You said it
I saw this at the The Strand in Vicksburg Mississippi as part of the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Great film. “I am a person” is such a great line in the context of the scene.
Thank you so much for catching it during the Manhattan Short Film Festival-it’s amazing to hear how far the film has traveled! “I am a person” is such a pivotal line, and we’re thrilled it resonated with you in that moment. It really is our own favorite scene, and the heart of Lara’s journey. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! 🖤✨
You could not have paired the music more perfectly using Creep. The chorus to that song ‘I don’t belong here’ is absolutely haunting.
Creep really captures the heart of Lara’s journey, and that haunting chorus felt like it was made for her story. We’re thrilled it resonated with you-your support means so much!
I love the instrumentals of Radiohead but I hate Thom York's voice. This choral version is lovely.
Dear Victoria Warmerdam, this is absolutely great, a real piece of genius, you've earned an "Oscar"/Academy Award - (and as to "Stone2home", s.b. - "I love it when when thinking people make great short films!" - I even love more, when thinking people make long films!
Wow, thanks for the compliment! I'm super excited that this short is Oscar-qualified!🤞🏻
@@victoriawarmerdam982 Yes, and I absolutely mean it. btw: I wonder if this "short" hasn't the potential for a TV-show (10x50 min.) ... -, or am I too much in mainstream culture-industrial thinking?
@@a.k.bartleby4295 Thank you, and I truly appreciate your enthusiasm! There’s definitely a lot to explore in this universe and with these characters. While I’m currently developing it into a feature film rather than a series, I’m excited about expanding the story in a way that dives even deeper into the world we’ve created. Stay tuned!
This short was fabulous. My only criticism is that it ended too soon. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Also, fabulous music choice for the topic.
Thank you so much-so glad you enjoyed it! We hear you about the ending-trust us, we’re just as excited about what comes next! 😉 And we’re thrilled you loved the music choice; it felt like a perfect match for the story. Stay tuned for more in the future!
When she started bleeding, I thought making her believe she’s a bot was a way to control a human woman. But it eventually drove her to madness and self-destruction.
Wow, that’s such a fascinating take! The idea of using "bot" as a form of control is definitely a layer worth thinking about. The blurred line between human and robot in the film raises so many questions about power, identity, and autonomy. Thanks for sharing your insight-it’s great to see how deeply you’ve engaged with the story! 🖤🤖✨
This was my take as well, that the boyfriend and the handler were gaslighting robots the girl epitomized a woman with total loss of self. I suppose robot-boyfriend is just a metaphor for the ultimate covert narcissist
@@kathrynengel278 Absolutely! Autonomy, labeling, and gaslighting are all central to the film, and you’re spot on-that’s exactly what he’s doing. So glad you picked up on that element! It’s fascinating to see all these layered readings and interpretations, and it’s incredible that it resonated with you on this level. Thanks so much for sharing your perspective-it’s so cool to hear!
Very well done. The writing, acting and cinematography ❤
Thank you so much. Great to see you appreciate it all.
So much talent here and such a great short film. Thanks to everyone involved for sharing your talents with this provocative film.
Thank you so much-that means a lot to the entire team! We’re so glad the film resonated with you and appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. It’s support like this that makes it all worthwhile!
This is an exceptional short film. I’m big into philosophy, spirituality, and sci-fi. Wow. What a pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing this piece of art with everyone. Great job to everyone who made it happen!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! It’s amazing to hear how the film connected with your love for philosophy, spirituality, and sci-fi-that’s exactly the space we wanted to explore. We’re thrilled it was such a pleasure to watch and that it sparked something meaningful for you. The whole team will be overjoyed to hear this-thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
This is the most terrifying thing I’ve seen in a long time, and I mean that in the best way. Amazing storytelling.
Very, very well done! More, please.❤❤❤
Thanks Leslie! We are actually working on a feature version!
A most fascinating premise, well done!
Excellent short!
Yes. A prank that got out of hand. That's not propylene glycol that she is leaking.
When husband said “difference between you and me”, I thought he would also be a robot
I did too.
Really like the theme music. This movie has the feel of vintage sci-fi, dressed in modern garb. Thanks for the upload.
Brilliant on every level. Very entertaining. Thank you.
That’s beautiful. Strange and beautiful. Thanks!
🥰
Well, that was fascinating and gripped me straight away. The acting, set and sound design were all top notch.
What an incredible compliment! The team put so much heart into every detail, and they’ll be over the moon to hear this. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
Wow, can’t get this flick out of my head! Thanks!
Thank you! That’s one of the the best compliment we could hope for-so glad it stuck with you! 🖤🤖 Thanks for watching and letting us know!
Superb. Very well done. In every respect!
Thank you.
That was excellent and I'm glad I accidentally found the film on RUclips. I must say that's also the quietest VW bug I've ever heard :)
Thank you so much-so glad you stumbled upon the film and enjoyed it! And even more happy you caught this special detail about the VW. 😊 Fun fact: the VW Beetle is actually electric! It’s an oldtimer retrofitted with batteries, just like Lara, our main character. 🚗🔋🤖 Thanks for watching and catching that detail!✨
The sound design of the VW Beetle was very futuristic and thoughtful. Thank you for that.
Thank you so much for noticing! The sound design of the VW Beetle was actually based on reality since the Beetle was retrofitted with an electric battery-it sounded like that on set too! 😊 In post, we tweaked it slightly to carefully blend the retro feel of the car with a futuristic, electric vibe-just like the world of the film. We’re thrilled you appreciated that detail. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! 🚗
I saw this at the The Strand in Vicksburg Mississippi as part of the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Great film. “I am a person” is such a great line in the context of the scene.
The question the end of the film brought to me is that although she can’t choose between life and death can her choices have other consequences?
That’s such a profound question-and exactly the kind of reflection we hoped the film would spark! It’s the tension between agency and limitation that lies at the core of her journey, and we will take you all on that journey in the feature version of the film :)
@ I look forward to seeing this as a feature. The Strand would be an excellent venue for screening it.
This was AWESOME!! Would love to see this expanded into a full length feature or series!
We’re actually working on expanding this concept into a feature film, so stay tuned for more twists and turns. We can’t wait to dive even deeper into this world. Thanks for watching and for your enthusiasm!
This is sooo Black Mirror!
We consider that a huge compliment
I love it when when thinking people make great short films!
@Stone2home That is such a lovely compliment. Thanks so much
Very thought provoking... Great film. 😮
Thank you so much! We’re thrilled the film made you think-that’s the best compliment we could hope for. Thanks for watching and sharing your reaction!
Wow! Immersive. Loved it ❤ bedankt
So happy to hear that you loved it. You're welcome. Graag gedaan.
At first I did follow the narrative of the main lead in an existential crisis but I was surprised to find the dialogue addressing feminist topics, especially “my body, my choice.” Very appropriate in these times. Thank you, I needed this.
I needed this comment
Not "her" body, though. It's either her husband's or still belongs to the leasing company.
Don't know much about "art" and don't claim to, but I know what I enjoy when I experience it. I truly enjoyed this movie, well done and thank you for putting it on RUclips.
Thank you so much! You don’t need to know “art” to appreciate something that resonates (which is very refreshing) and we’re thrilled you enjoyed the film. Thanks for taking the time to watch and share your thoughts!
I'm a slightly older model. Back in are day we had the empathy test. Surprisingly, it worked well and almost anybotty could use it. Everyone in this thought-provoking film is a bot, except our hero. Remember folks' computers are just a tool. Like a hammer. If the tool is unable to fulfill its intended task, it will be forgotten and become a footnote in the book of human pursuits. What you see today will not last long, I just hope we survive it before we all go looney.
The idea of an "empathy test" as a way to distinguish humanity is such a poignant nod to the classics, and it’s intriguing to think of tools, whether hammers or bots, as fleeting artifacts of human innovation. The question is, as you say, whether we’ll survive this chapter of technological evolution without losing ourselves in the process. Let’s hope we keep our humanity intact-and maybe a little sanity too!
Surely she wouldn't stop there. A train at full speed, a car crusher, a wood chipper, so many things to try. I wonder if the company has a lifetime warranty with full replacement policy on their products if she manages to succeed. (Is her brain backed up? The torture!) Or maybe they'll perform a factory reset before she can try again. In either case she would inevitably find out again, restarting the loop. Maybe her boyfriend gets better at gaslighting her every loop? So many things to explore.
Well, she is the full human experience
It's not Groundhog Day Peter😂
Yeah, the boyfriend is a creep, making the soundtrack that much more poignant.
@@abraxasjinx5207 I thought the most disturbing thing was his inability to face the death of his loved one.
I’d say well done! The score is perfect!😊
Thank you so much-so glad you enjoyed it! 😊 The team worked hard to create a score that perfectly matched the tone, and it’s wonderful to hear it resonated with you. Thanks for watching! 🎶✨🤖
This is remnant of Alfred Hitchcock theater The way he makes you look at every day things differently. This will haunt me every time I see a Captcha. Brilliant.
Thank you so much-what an incredible comparison! If we’ve managed to make CAPTCHAs even a fraction as haunting as Hitchcock made birds or showers, we’ll take it as a win. 😉 So glad the film resonated with you-thanks for watching!
yes, i agree
Very nice, thoughtful, important even.
Thank you so much - It’s incredible to hear that the film felt important to you. We hoped to spark some reflection on themes like identity, autonomy, and technology’s role in our lives, so it’s amazing to know it resonated in that way. Thank you for watching and sharing!
Unusual and well done.
Thank you so much-glad you enjoyed it! We love embracing the unusual (and we’ll gladly take the ‘well done’ part too!). Thanks for watching and celebrating the unconventional with us! 😊✨
How lovely to have decided on impulse to watch this short film posted by the New Yorker and it just so happens to be in a language I speak. Mooie filmpje! Ik kijk uit na de feature film :)
Vind het ook echt lief hoe jullie persoonlijk op iedereen reageren. Respect!
@@katelovelacedankjewel voor het kijken!
Wat leuk om te horen-bedankt voor je spontane beslissing om de film te kijken! 😊 Zo fijn dat je ervan genoten hebt, en geweldig dat je uitkijkt naar de feature film.
Opening with a choir cover of "Creep" made me think of the excellent _Community_ episode "Basic Gluteal Numismatics"
We haven’t seen that one yet, so thanks for bringing it to our attention-it’s officially on our watchlist now! 😊🎶 Glad the film sparked the connection, and thanks for watching! 🤖✨
Excellent!! 🖤🩶🤎💜💚💙🩵❤️🩷🧡💛🤍
She wasn't a robot. She was gaslighted. The guy bought her a huge life insurance policy, just like he had for Olivia, and conspired with his new girlfriend to drive her crazy. Together, they hacked the poor woman's computer making her doubt her identity. When she jumped to her death and lay there bleeding, she realized in her last moments that she'd been duped.
That’s such a fascinating interpretation-thank you for sharing! While the story intentionally leaves room for different readings, your take on it as a gaslighting conspiracy is a chilling and deeply unsettling possibility. It really speaks to the power dynamics and manipulation at play in the film. Thanks for watching and diving into the complexities of the story!
I feel so liberated! Now I understand all those dreams I had about rolling around in a vault filled with integrated circuits instead of gold. And it explains why my eyeballs spin near magnets. And why the stuff in the toilet looks just like when I swallowed it. I really don't care. But no more showers or baths when I have a break in my skin.
After all, everything we hear about our births and childhoods is all hearsay. It's the same for us as for humans.
This was excellent, and the lead actress was spectacular. Now, why isn't my comment uploading and what's with this captcha test?
Thank you so much-so glad you enjoyed it, and we couldn’t agree more about the lead actress being spectacular! As for the CAPTCHA, it seems even humans can’t escape its grasp. Maybe it’s secretly testing if you’re a robot! 😉 Thanks for sticking with it and sharing your thoughts!
Excellent!
Thank you so much-glad you enjoyed it!
This is the REAL Turing Test......
Not to see whether or not a human can determine what's human or a bot......
But rather, to see if the BOT can even tell that its a BOT and not a human.
Although I have very assorted moral and ethical opinions about this. I don't really feel like it would be acceptable to keep a BOT ignorant to its own identity and to allow it to think it is human.
Excellent short film !
Well done !
Thank you so much-such a kind thing to say! It means a lot to us.
Thoroughly enjoyed the film, where every detail seems to have been thought through and mattered. Did anyone else notice that cars on the parking lot were all 1970s vintage, as was Lara’s dress style and all the office details?
And was the VW Beetle he was driving making electric car noises?
Very well noticed-spot on with all of it! The Beetle does indeed have an electric battery. The idea in this world is that all cars have gone electric but with a nostalgic nod to retro styles-because let’s face it, we all love a bit of retro, don’t we? 😉 Thanks for watching and catching those details!
Very much enjoyed. The acting, writing, cinematography and sound design are all spot on. Nothing to jar me out of the very interesting story. The moral questions and many other social issues touched on here are very provocative and some are defi nitely applicable to the recent developments in both technology and communication that impact modern society.
Without getting too much into the weeds though; a very pleasant watch. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the film and that all the elements-acting, writing, cinematography, and sound design-worked seamlessly for you. It’s wonderful to hear that the story resonated, especially with the moral and social questions we aimed to explore.
And we agree-sometimes it’s best to let the themes linger without overanalyzing. We’re so glad you found it a pleasant watch. Thanks for taking the time to share your insights! 🤖✨🎥
@oakmotionpictures9054 Question: Are you using AI to write your comment responses?
"Didn't you ever wonder why you hadn't gone to the bathroom in five years?"
Okay, so that line isn't really in the film.
Haha, no it isn't. She did go to the bathroom by the way, if you really do want to know.
Fascinating
Why is she bleeding if she’s a robot
.
Great question! Let’s just say, she’s not your average robot. Without giving too much away, her design blurs the line between human and machine in ways that even she has to figure out. Thanks for watching and diving into the details!
Well that would just mean that she’s a bleeding robot?
Actually with nano bots hybrids might be creared in existing ppl but to think this over they made westworld about them very realistically made to seem like organic humans. If they can think it, it can be achieved.
It's transmission fluid.
It’s just blood. In the world we created, robots actually do bleed; otherwise, she would have found out much earlier about her robotic nature.
Very much looking forward to the next chapter
Great to hear you’re looking forward to it-we are too! We’re developing the script as we speak, so we already know what happens next... and what came before. 😉 More to come in the future, hopefully in the form of a feature film! Stay tuned!
Nicely done.
glad you enjoyed it
Twilight Zone episode "The Lateness of the Hour" (even took the bit about not having early memories, but gave it a slight twist)
Great film. I have quite a lot of sympathy for Lara as I can never get past those CAPTCHA tests either.
Haha, thank you so much! We totally get it-CAPTCHAs can be the ultimate nemesis! Lara would definitely appreciate the solidarity. 😉
Fantastic!
Thank you so much! 🙌✨
I wish I was special.
So f**king special
But I am a creep
@ I’m a weirdo
Impressive acting!
PLease win an Oscar 😍
Aww, thank you-that’s such a sweet wish! 😍 We’ll keep dreaming big and doing our best.
Made me thought of Spielberg A.I. are we humans open enough to have empaty and to embrace a different self that is not human without them rebelling against our way of life...
Perfect short in those polarization times thank you kindly!
The connection to Spielberg’s A.I. is such a great one-it also asks those deep questions about empathy and how we interact with beings that challenge our definition of “self.” Can we embrace something non-human without projecting our fears onto it?
We’re so glad the film resonated with you, especially in these polarized times. Thank you for watching and sharing your insight-it means the world to us! 🤖✨🖤
Great watch! Congratulations on making the Oscar shortlists
Thank you so much! We’re still pinching ourselves over making the Oscar shortlist-someone tell us it’s real! Hearing that you enjoyed the film means the world to us. It’s a wild ride, and we’re just happy to have you along for the journey. Thanks for watching and celebrating with us!
Amazing- dank je wel
Graag gedaan! 😊✨ So happy you enjoyed it-thanks for watching! 🤖🎥
Hey, she finally got that song to resume.
Haha, exactly! Persistence pays off-even for bots. Glad you caught that little moment. Thanks for watching and having fun with it! 🎶
dark comedic lens... now there's an understatement.
Haha, fair point! Maybe “dark comedic lens” doesn’t quite capture the full shade of it. Let’s just say we leaned all the way into the dark and twisted humor for this one. 😉 Thanks for watching and catching the tone!
"Hello everyone! This is Victoria Warmerdam, the writer and director of I’m Not a Robot, and Trent, its producer. Our short film tells the story, tells the story, tells the story...error."
Hooked me in really quickly and then explored a lot of areas related to what it means to be human. I’ll think of this brilliant shirt when I am caught in a CAPTCHA.
this is wonderful-so glad the film hooked you and got you thinking about what it means to be human! And hey, if a CAPTCHA reminds you of the story, we’ll take that as a win. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! 🤖✨
Simply profound, It calls into question all the important things that are changing humanity
As I see more and more people retreat into their validation echo chambers, the gap between bot and human is narrowing in a very uncomfortable way. Bots do not need democracy
That’s a wonderful comment-thank you! We’re thrilled that you found it profound. We’ve worked hard to achieve that depth, so it’s very gratifying that it resonated with you. And yes, the future will certainly see a narrowing gap between bots and humans-something we’re excited to explore further in our upcoming feature.
Superb
And the sad reality is that human beings could be this cruel and selfish.
@KASH10043 It’s true, and that’s part of what makes exploring these themes so compelling-and sometimes uncomfortable. The line between human flaws and programmed behaviors can get pretty blurry. Thanks for watching and for reflecting on this-it’s exactly the kind of conversation we hoped to spark. 🖤
these turning tests are getting quite involved .
Haha, no kidding! Turing tests have come a long way-especially when the line between human and AI gets this blurry. Thanks for watching and joining the conversation! 🤖✨
Masterpiece.
This is great.
This is top shelf! I really like the soundscape, bridging the observing to the feeling perfectly.
Thank you all for this masterpiece 🙏
Thank you so much for highlighting the soundscape! We absolutely love our sound designer, Evelien van der Molen, and our composer, Merlijn Snitker. They both did an incredible job bringing the audio elements to life.
@oakmotionpictures9054 💜⚘
@oakmotionpictures9054 please let Evelien know 😊
@@Henri377 For sure
Very moving, I even went to the mirror to check if I am not a robot, but how can you know 😅 Basically I am attached to my life and sometimes I feel like despite of free will I can’t change my scenario) Strong movie, thank you
This is a great short movie, and it's so sad too.
The mix of sadness and depth is what we hoped to capture, so it’s wonderful to hear it struck a chord.
@oakmotionpictures9054 Yes! Well done!
That was nuts.
Creepy and disturbing.
Thank you! Creepy and disturbing were definitely part of the vibe we were going for-so glad it came through!
She should have led him to the edge and said, "After you," before pushing him off.
Haha, yes, you’re onto something! That exact thought crossed our minds while writing the script and brainstorming ideas for the feature version-Lara definitely deserves a little revenge. Who knows? Maybe that “After you” moment will find its way into the feature film! Thanks for watching and sparking the idea again. 😉✨🤖
Hello!
HI freind…
What ‘S up Spike Dilo Napisz🔺r?😊
We’re all robots lol. We recycle here in this realm over and over again without any memories.
But I’m a creep. I’m an angel.
Haha, deep stuff there-part existential, part Radiohead lyrics, and all vibes! 🤖✨ Maybe we’re all a little bit of everything: robots, angels, and creeps, just trying to figure it out. Thanks for watching and bringing the philosophy (and the tunes)! 🖤🎶
I have a question. Sorry, maybe I didn't get all the nuances, or maybe my question is out of order, but... was she really a bot? 🙄
No need to apologize-it’s a great question! 🙄The lines between human and bot are intentionally blurry in our story, and we have our answer, but what do you think? Is she really a bot, or is there more to it? Thanks for watching! 🤖✨
@oakmotionpictures9054 love your reply. Perfect!
Immediate flashbacks to The Social Network (2010) trailer
Wow, this is darkly comedic but also highly relevant. The more I read through the comments, the deeper I began to understand and interpret the implications for us. Thank you for expanding my awareness. In the previous comments, the word "autonomy" is used but I submit that Lara is a slave.
We’re so glad the dark comedy and themes resonated with you-it’s amazing to hear how the story sparked deeper reflection. You bring up such an interesting perspective with the idea of Lara being a slave, cause she kind of is, and aren't we all slightly? It really adds another layer to the conversation about autonomy and control. It’s exactly these kinds of interpretations we hoped to inspire. Thank you for watching and sharing your insights! 🖤🤖✨
Love how the song Creep is used in this. great cover too.
SPOILERS:
I like how this is like the other side of that famous Black Mirror episode.
We’re thrilled you loved how Creep was used-it felt like such a natural fit for the story. And yes, we definitely see the parallels with that iconic Black Mirror episode. It’s fascinating to explore the “other side” of those themes, isn’t it? Thanks for watching and diving into the layers! 🤖✨🎶
Great film , it’s a growing concern for me how much technology is defining the meaning of our lives. The tail wagging the dog phenomenon.
It is very entertaining and well put together.
But it also opens up a very real Pandora's Box.
I think leaving it open-ended would probably have made it even more intriguing and disturbing, like an earworm, eating away at our cognitive innards.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment! We’re so glad you found it entertaining and well-crafted. And leaving things more open-ended could have taken the psychological impact to another level, like a lingering earworm. We love hearing these interpretations-it’s exactly the kind of reflection we hoped to inspire. Thanks for watching and sharing your insights!
I'm a little confused. Was that the first time she ever did a CAPTCHA?
Great story. Interesting idea about how robots have no more control over their existence (beyond aesthetics) than humans. (Or maybe I should switch the placement of the words “robots” and “humans”)? Any effort to fight it, by either form, only causes suffering - our human, and seemingly bots’, lot.
What a beautifully thoughtful comment-thank you for sharing! The parallels between robots and humans when it comes to control over existence are definitely a central theme, and switching the words “robots” and “humans” makes the line even more poignant. It’s fascinating (and a bit unsettling) to consider that struggle for autonomy as universal, regardless of form. You’ve perfectly captured the bittersweet tone of the story. Thanks for watching and diving so deeply into it! 🤖✨
I love sci fi and quirkiness. I just found out that I'm a robot, so, well played.
Whoa.. very creative ...
Thank you! Creativity is what keeps the gears turning (literally). Glad it made you think-or at least smile!
Only critique. And it's completely silly and should be taken as such, because I love this movie. There is nowhere on earth a human or a robot can call support and get a human to answer :) That being said, this is amazing. Having come out of the jungles of asia after 20 years, being being blocked by countless cpatchas and having my credit and record completely wiped. I can relate in a very specific way.
Haha, fair point! A support line with a real human answering? That might be the most sci-fi part of the whole film! 😉 And wow, your experience sounds like a movie in itself-CAPTCHAs and lost records are their own kind of dystopia. We’re so glad you connected with the story, and thank you for sharing your thoughts (and for the laugh)! 🤖✨📞
20 years in the jungle? I have so many questions now...