Sci-Fi Short Film Soulmate - DUST - Starring Mandeep Dhillon & Joe Dempsie
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Date: 2025-02-27
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Comments and reviews: 9
SillyLooey-c9p
I don’t think Neil is aware that he is an AI living in a simulated universe, and that his girlfriend is a tangible person, in an entirely separate and distinct universe, who exercises God- like powers over his world, while working for the company that created his entire existence.
I believe that is where she is coming from when she tried to break things off at the beginning of the short, while finding herself unable to explain to him why she needs to break up with him in spite of the fact that she does love him.
Imagine things from his perspective- it would be world-shattering to have your partner divulge that not only are you a simulated lifeform, but the person you love, whom you previously viewed as an equal, has the power to rewrite your reality on a whim- just as we watch her scramble to do near the end- and that’s not to even mention that she nearly crashed the entire sim by doing so.
As intriguing as the short was from her view, I think it’s really interesting to think about the potentials on his side as well. If anyone could have these reality-annihilating facts laid out before them and remain any semblance of a functional adult, they still would then have to reevaluate their entire relationship with this God-being. Not that even that would do any good, since any decision that he may reach that isn’t in line with her desires can just be deleted and all of his thoughts and feelings and conclusions will no longer have ever existed from his perspective. How could Neil ever trust that she isn’t just erasing, rewriting and tweaking his life for whatever purpose suits her It’s her job to manage and code the world he lives in, along with everyone and everything he previously believed to just be an organic life.
It’s been theorized that our universe is simulated. Just imagine being Neil. He can’t even escape if he wants to- any decision he makes ultimately becomes her choice, and he’ll only ever know or recall what she wants him to. She not only can edit, delete, and manipulate any part of his world, his mind, his history, and his existence for her own reasons, but it is her job to do just that.
We see it dawn on her that she can erase their last interaction so he’ll forget that he thought she was some kind of stalker on the street, just like she accidentally made him forget their entire relationship, but do you think this will be the last time she wields that kind of power to get what she wants This is just the beginning. He can’t trust that he knows any kind of permanence unless it suits her, and the worst part is that he’ll only ever know the version of reality she chooses for him. It’s like the ultimate gaslighter
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I don’t think Neil is aware that he is an AI living in a simulated universe, and that his girlfriend is a tangible person, in an entirely separate and distinct universe, who exercises God- like powers over his world, while working for the company that created his entire existence.
I believe that is where she is coming from when she tried to break things off at the beginning of the short, while finding herself unable to explain to him why she needs to break up with him in spite of the fact that she does love him.
Imagine things from his perspective- it would be world-shattering to have your partner divulge that not only are you a simulated lifeform, but the person you love, whom you previously viewed as an equal, has the power to rewrite your reality on a whim- just as we watch her scramble to do near the end- and that’s not to even mention that she nearly crashed the entire sim by doing so.
As intriguing as the short was from her view, I think it’s really interesting to think about the potentials on his side as well. If anyone could have these reality-annihilating facts laid out before them and remain any semblance of a functional adult, they still would then have to reevaluate their entire relationship with this God-being. Not that even that would do any good, since any decision that he may reach that isn’t in line with her desires can just be deleted and all of his thoughts and feelings and conclusions will no longer have ever existed from his perspective. How could Neil ever trust that she isn’t just erasing, rewriting and tweaking his life for whatever purpose suits her It’s her job to manage and code the world he lives in, along with everyone and everything he previously believed to just be an organic life.
It’s been theorized that our universe is simulated. Just imagine being Neil. He can’t even escape if he wants to- any decision he makes ultimately becomes her choice, and he’ll only ever know or recall what she wants him to. She not only can edit, delete, and manipulate any part of his world, his mind, his history, and his existence for her own reasons, but it is her job to do just that.
We see it dawn on her that she can erase their last interaction so he’ll forget that he thought she was some kind of stalker on the street, just like she accidentally made him forget their entire relationship, but do you think this will be the last time she wields that kind of power to get what she wants This is just the beginning. He can’t trust that he knows any kind of permanence unless it suits her, and the worst part is that he’ll only ever know the version of reality she chooses for him. It’s like the ultimate gaslighter
reply
johnsenior478
I guess it’s about what happens next - though the guy is very dull and it’s hard to see a risk taking tech head - even one with a secret passion for Graham Greene - going to the trouble of creating herself as an avatar to be with him. I do like that it’s only just fiction I think the notion of AI / Robots used as emotional / fantasy outlets is pretty real given the endless pressure to function as an individual and the huge rise in loneliness, casual relationships etcit seems to be aiming into rom com territory but I actually think it contains something a lot darker as it’s starting point- which seems to be loneliness, dissatisfaction with past relationships, obsession, unreality, disconnectedness etc. I either need a bit more backstory or the next episode but. very good performance from Anna and great concept.
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I guess it’s about what happens next - though the guy is very dull and it’s hard to see a risk taking tech head - even one with a secret passion for Graham Greene - going to the trouble of creating herself as an avatar to be with him. I do like that it’s only just fiction I think the notion of AI / Robots used as emotional / fantasy outlets is pretty real given the endless pressure to function as an individual and the huge rise in loneliness, casual relationships etcit seems to be aiming into rom com territory but I actually think it contains something a lot darker as it’s starting point- which seems to be loneliness, dissatisfaction with past relationships, obsession, unreality, disconnectedness etc. I either need a bit more backstory or the next episode but. very good performance from Anna and great concept.
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TheChockychops
Great story, loved it! Raises a lot of interesting questions.
I agree with most people in that its a film about her addiction to what the tech can do for her rather than a sweet love story. But, the love story element works well and on the surface it was a lovely ending.
Inevitably the relationship will have all the complexity of normal human relationships and instead of facing the less pleasant times, she can just erase them and start over - as seen when he doesn't recognise her and pushes her away. When you then start thinking about what it means it actually becomes quite an uncomfortable 'relationship' as with real-life where the balance of power is so skewed.
Anyway, I could go on but I won't! Really enjoyed it: )
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Great story, loved it! Raises a lot of interesting questions.
I agree with most people in that its a film about her addiction to what the tech can do for her rather than a sweet love story. But, the love story element works well and on the surface it was a lovely ending.
Inevitably the relationship will have all the complexity of normal human relationships and instead of facing the less pleasant times, she can just erase them and start over - as seen when he doesn't recognise her and pushes her away. When you then start thinking about what it means it actually becomes quite an uncomfortable 'relationship' as with real-life where the balance of power is so skewed.
Anyway, I could go on but I won't! Really enjoyed it: )
reply
dust
This must provoke a chain of thought in our mind, are we really in love when we think we are in love Do we mistake obsession of some experiences (/chemicals in our brains) to be love
Though I'm almost clueless myself about what love actually is, but these are the questions which popped right up in my mind while watching this.
By the way, you must know that this movie has been tremendously good, I'm not that good with appreciating but it's simply amazing.
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This must provoke a chain of thought in our mind, are we really in love when we think we are in love Do we mistake obsession of some experiences (/chemicals in our brains) to be love
Though I'm almost clueless myself about what love actually is, but these are the questions which popped right up in my mind while watching this.
By the way, you must know that this movie has been tremendously good, I'm not that good with appreciating but it's simply amazing.
reply
tedball8677
Very well done, Mr Fenwick. Crisp writing, excellent shot choices (therefore location scouting as well. The points raised by earlier commenters about loneliness, disconnecting from IRL for the virtual world, etc. are spot on. The storyline (sort of) resolves at the end, yet only by one manipulating the universe of another and pressing the Reset button. Wow.
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Very well done, Mr Fenwick. Crisp writing, excellent shot choices (therefore location scouting as well. The points raised by earlier commenters about loneliness, disconnecting from IRL for the virtual world, etc. are spot on. The storyline (sort of) resolves at the end, yet only by one manipulating the universe of another and pressing the Reset button. Wow.
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dust
Longing. Longing for love, human relationships, and meeting the needs of the soul. The inability of a person, suffocated by material things, to resist what is essential and spiritual.
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Longing. Longing for love, human relationships, and meeting the needs of the soul. The inability of a person, suffocated by material things, to resist what is essential and spiritual.
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paullewis3212
Couldn’t understand the premise. What was the point of the surveillance Seemed like the system police were not very bright if she was able to deceive them so easily.
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Couldn’t understand the premise. What was the point of the surveillance Seemed like the system police were not very bright if she was able to deceive them so easily.
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damianosmegalos809
I am maybe not such a very big fan of romantic movies, but this one is different, special. More than one-dimensional. Excellent job!
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I am maybe not such a very big fan of romantic movies, but this one is different, special. More than one-dimensional. Excellent job!
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PhilKelley
I vote none of the above. Anna pulled a genii out of the bottle and got to try again. I suggest it is a love will find a way story.
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I vote none of the above. Anna pulled a genii out of the bottle and got to try again. I suggest it is a love will find a way story.
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