To Err

If To Err was to be adapted into a feature film, it could have potential to go down as one the science fiction greats. Otherwise this beautiful short could earn its place among other classics like Le Jetee or Trip to the Moon. This is down to the wondrous direction of rising talent Nanci Cruz and the imaginative and clever screenplay from J. M Elliot.

The story follows a space sattelite, operated by artificial intelligence as it forms an unlikely friendship with a sound engineer through endless streams of transmissions. It is impossible to talk about the film without revealing spoilers but what can be said is that To Err is a poignant tale about what it means to be human. While this question has been explored many times in science fiction Cruz and Elliot find a way to craft this into an original piece.

While there are subtle callbacks to other science fiction greats such as 2001, Blade Runner, Silent Running and even Her, it never loses track of the story it is trying to tell. Through its use of edited archive footage, visual effects, musical score and dialogue we stay invested in the emotions both characters go through. By the end of the film, the results are sure to be nothing short of satisfying.

To Err is a true love letter to science fiction, stating the importance of the genre's place in the world, exploring human curiosity, exploration and wonder of the universe. These themes has lived in recent events this year such as the Virgin galactic flight and Elon Musk's successful Starship launch. This film could not be more timely.

This is a simple yet impactful story of a sound engineer (Noelle) communicating with an AI satellite (Kiara)

What struck me is how well it lends itself to human psychology and what we know about forming relationships and emotional attachments not only people, but inanimate objects, and in this case, a seemingly sentient satellite which learns and develops skills and knowledge like living beings do. I think this short definitely has the potential to be further explored as a feature. Definitely, from a psychological and sociological perspective. What about Noelle makes her connect with Kiara? What bonds does she have already in her life, and why are they perhaps lacking, encouraging her to seek a connection with an AI? Why are we as humans likely to anthropomorphize objects (perceive them as human-like) and why is it so difficult to refrain from doing so?

In the format of a short, this explores their bond fleetingly but with beautiful direction and screenplay which adds the nuance and allows the viewer to invest themselves fully.

Definitely recommending this further!

To Err is minimal in it's visuals. The storytelling is primarily driven by it's two voices, with only occasional glimpses of people. Luckily the sound design is impeccable, and the vocal performances of the two leads make that more than enough for the film to be engaging and by the end moving, with Liz Bishop giving a particularly heartfelt performance when visible.

I actually wish that it was longer. I was so enjoying the way that the two leads learn from, confide in, and ultimately befriend each other, that I wish we'd been given some more time to really feel what this relationship meant to both of them.

Another critique would be that maybe the editing could've been slower. As this is mainly an audio experience, I felt it would benefit to cut a little less and lean into something more meditative.

Overall, To Err is a minimal but very solid short which should establish director Nanci Cruz as a promising talent to watch.

This film takes up all the space in my heart, pun definitely intended! It's beautifully written, paced in a way that is controlled but feels effortless and the acting is superb. The story is moving and riveting, and evokes so many emotions and deeper questions about space exploration and the essence of humanity in that exploration.

An incredible piece of art created by an incredible team. A must watch.

This short is proof that it doesn't take many actors to tell a good story. The visual sequence is beautiful and you manage to connect with the universe.