In ‘Change’, an experimental AI-generated short, director Damian Imrich takes us on a breathtaking journey from the creation of the universe to the cataclysmic end of civilization. Crafted entirely through AI-generated text, image, and video models, the film explores our progress on Earth – capturing a grand vision of our evolution – and what the future might bring.
The film opens with the Big Bang unfolding into our galaxy, the formation of Earth, and a volcanic eruption signifying the dawn of life. What follows is a rapid snapshot through history, each pivotal moment unfolding with cinematic-style visuals: agriculture’s inception, the rise of the railway, and the explosive technological innovations of the 20th century – telephones, cars, radios, aircraft, TV, computers. But even as we roll towards a future brimming with awe, the film maintains an underlying tension, hinting at an impending dystopian-like collapse.
Imrich’s experimental style is truly captivating. The AI-generated imagery might raise questions, but it serves as a tool rather than a crutch. The compositions are stunning, and the pacing draws the viewer into a world both familiar and foreign. The result is a thought-provoking reflection on the inevitability of change. The technological wonders that define us are shown to be just as vulnerable as the planet they inhabit.
‘Change’ showcases what AI is capable of when it comes to cinematics and film production. Inspite of that, the film remains intensely human – its striking visuals and philosophical undercurrents will keep you glued to the screen, thinking about the weight of our inventions and their ultimate cost. Unmissable viewing.
