Sci-Fi Short of the Week: iMOM
It’s just a matter of time until iMom shows up for duty. This Australian film has a creep factor that will send shivers up and down your spine. The show touts Humanoid robots in infomercials as the way to have kids and still go to the gym six days a week and live a normal life. Presented as the “cutting edge in lifestyle technology,” the iMom has arrived to save the day as a fully functioning mother substitute. Or is she? In the film human mom is in a hurry to leave, slugging down some wine, and after a few minutes of trying to interact with her troubled son, she gives up and leaves her baby and kid in the safe hands of iMom. What could go wrong? Right.
The film touches on the issue of technology as savior or destroyer and serves as a warning to those desiring an easy way out of parenting. Do we trust our most precious assets, our children, to robotic nannies? Perhaps some day we will.
In addition to the suspense supplied by multiple camera angles provided by the home security system, there is an undercurrent of religious forbearance ever present in the flick. Take this interchange between the boy Sam and iMOM:
iMOM reading from Matthew 7:15: “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles.”
Sam: “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Therefore, by their fruits, ye shall know them.”
And this quote from Einstein that shows at the film’s opening:
“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.”
I think we are going to need some superstar programmers if humanity is going to survive. OK, it’s time for you to grab some popcorn and watch the show. Let me know what you think in the comments section.
Cast:
iMom: Matilda Brown
Mother: Marta Dusseldorp
Sam: Karl Beattie
Grace: India Rosearee Nampetch
iMom Presenter: Curt Bonnem
iMom Testimonials:
Tom Kiesche
Erin Matthews
Avi Rothman
Lara Everly
Valentine Miele
Michelle Gunn with Grace Gunn
IMom Model: Emmacam
Production:
Written and Directed by Ariel Martin
Produced By Filmgraphics Entertainment