The Artifice Girl
Directed By: Franklin Ritch
The Artifice Girl is a small independent 2023 release that is available on video on demand. Discontented by the enumerable and endless offerings provided by the streaming applications I had the urge to check out something new, something different. I desired to make a choice uninfluenced by an algorithm. It was a longing for the Blockbuster era highlighted by the joy of discovery. Thus, having only heard one or two minor comments about enjoying this film I made the $5.99 decision to give it a chance.
The only thing I knew about this film was that the subject matter involved artificial intelligence. It felt an appropriate topic given the current mania. I didn’t realize it at the time, but upon a brief reflection this is a thread that has been explored time and time again. For me, most recently and effectively in Ex Machina. Despite the plethora of works of art delving into the good and evil of AI, I feel like The Artifice Girl still had something worthwhile to say.
The film feels more like a three act play than a movie, which is not a criticism. Each sequence occurs within a single setting, or stage. The story is centered around a small cast of four characters. Between each act is a time jump that, due to the tight focus of the story, isn’t disorienting.
The first act of the film extends over a 40 minute period. I found it oddly compelling given the bare small room the characters occupied during that period. It begins with such focus and direction. The unknowingness is compelling, and I found myself enthralled in the discovery of where I was being taken. It is a testament to the writing, and perhaps more importantly, the acting from a group of unknowns. Most notable was Sinda Nichols playing Deena with a blistering intensity.
The sparseness of the actual filmmaking juxtaposed with the compelling nature of the story reminded me of the legendary Primer.
The Artifice Girl begins to falter in the third act. The conclusions, actions of characters, and thematic strings aren’t able to carry the weight of the earlier promise. The questions the film ask travel in a different direction than I hoped, but I cannot fault it for having a differing curiosity than myself. In the end I was hoping for more, but still feel like I was given a lot.
This is a difficult film to write about because I feel the less known the better. Thus I am forced to leave it short this week because I would like people to check it out.
It makes me question the purpose of my writing. Am I reviewing? Am I deep-diving? More often than not, I’ve found myself somewhat in-between, not revealing too much, but still exploring the elements that interested me. Perhaps I will find some clarity of purpose in the coming days. Until then…
Musical Pairing: Criminals, Atlas Sound
Hey thanks man! I'm excited to check out your site and thoughts on films. Go ahead and comment as much as you would like haha.
For the Artifice Girl, one of the most interesting components was the juxtaposition between the purpose of the AI (to protect the innocent), while the AI itself (innocent) was being taken advantage of. It was especially shocking using child predators in that role.
The film felt more positive towards AI than I was expecting. I think the purpose was to use AI as the anchor to spotlight the frailty and failings of humanity. The only problem is that AI is incredibly trendy right now, so the story might take on more than intended.
My thoughts are so scattered on this though. There was a lot packed into those 90 or so minutes and I think it would take a second viewing to really deconstruct it further.
Would love to hear your spoiler-filled thoughts on this one. Just saying. There's a lot going on in this one... culturally, socially, etc. etc. But yeah. I get the problem. By the way, I did a write up of Force Majeure over at https://taylorholmes.com/2023/06/09/force-majeure-subtle-mindjob-discussed-and-recommended/ and gave your blog a couple of shoutouts. I swear I won't comment on every single post, though I considered it.