Sci-Fi Short of the Week
“True Skin” was released in the wild three years ago. Set in Bangkok, this film is a fascinating look into a future dominated by human augmentation where even pets get cybernetically enhanced. Almost as if in opposition to the gray and rain-soaked apocalyptic settings that have become so commonplace in films, “True Skin” is infused with vibrant color on steroids. Transhumanism is the norm here, and pure organic humans live life on the margins of society.
I consider myself an aficionado of tech and all things sci-fi: Eat, live, drink it all in – that’s where it’s at with me. Take the red pill man – there’s no other choice. With choice, however, comes consequence. “True Skin” embraces transhumanism and rolls the dice. Snake eyes. In the world of this film, body augmentation permeates society, and a Vegas-like vibe is now the new norm. It’s almost too much, or is it? How do you feel about cybernetically enhanced pets? I am pretty sure you won’t be getting an informed consent form signed by kitty before slapping in a new pair of techno eyes hardwired to your security defense perimeter. Personally, I would never install cyber implants in a cat because cats could care less about that kind of crap, preferring to take naps and watch human servants scurry about. People can voice their consent; cats cannot. Myself, if I could obtain vision better than a hawk’s eyesight, I would seriously consider swapping out my eyes for a new state-of-the-art pair of eyeballs.
It’s my belief that body modification will be huge in the future. The transhumanist movement will be a byproduct of helping people that need replacement limbs, curing the deaf, and helping the blind to see. If we can cure blindness by replacing organic non-functioning eyes with a pair of synthetic orbs that give you incredible vision, how long do you think it will be before perfectly good eyes are yanked out and replaced with shiny new high-tech vision implants? Same thing goes for legs, arms, CPU enhanced brain packs, the whole nine yards of kit and caboodle. Yes – “True Skin” has a lot of material to play around with in the sandbox, and I hope Amazon takes it in some surprising directions and explores the social ramifications associated with such a techno-centric culture. Will we begin refusing employment to the non-enhanced? Will sex robots become the norm? What happens to personal relationships? To love? Will organics make a last stand on a remote island somewhere?
Warner Brothers had first dibs on “True Skin,” but after no film materialized, and the option elapsed, Amazon moved in and purchased the rights. Amazon plans to develop it into a one hour TV series. Stephen Zlotescu, the writer, and director of the short will also direct the adaptation. Scott Glassgold of Ground Control will produce the series. There is currently a search for writers underway. Let’s hope this concept escapes from development hell and gets made so I can squint at it with my non-surgically enhanced eyes. It could happen.
Film Info:
Written & Directed by Stephan Zlotescu
Director of Photography: H1
Original Music: J-Punch
Producer: H1 & Christopher Sewall
Manager: Scott Glassgold
Shot entirely in Bangkok