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I Am Human (film)

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I Am Human
Image of a head split in five sections horizontally. The bottom four are human, and have wires stemming from them. The top section is a conglomeration of computer components in a vaguely brain shape. The text "I AM HUMAN" appears above the head. The background of the image has some technical sketches, with some words being legible, including "MICROELECTRODE ARRAY" and "60 ELECTRODES 5mm DEEP".
Directed byTaryn Southern, Elena Gaby
Written by
  • Taryn Southern
  • Elena Gaby
Produced by
  • Taryn Southern
  • Elena Gaby
Starring
CinematographyJoel Froome
Edited by
  • Cody Rogowski
  • Wyatt Rogowski
Music byPierre Takal
Production
company
Futurism[2]
Release date
  • 2 May 2019 (2019-05-02) (Tribeca Film Festival)[1]
Running time
1 hour 30 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

I Am Human is an American documentary film that debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019. Directed, produced, and written by Taryn Southern and Elena Gaby,[3] it featured Bryan Johnson, David Eagleman, Ramez Naam, Tristan Harris, Nita Farahany, and John Donoghue. The documentary film discusses how neurotechnology could be used to help restore sight, retrain the body, and treat diseases.[1]

Description

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I Am Human follows the medical cases of three patients undergoing complex experimental brain treatments with the goal of regaining lost abilities, including body movement and vision.[4][5][6] The documentary follows Bill, a man who became quadriplegic following a bicycle accident, who successfully had use of his arms and hands restored by a brain implant; Anne, who has Parkinson's disease but had its symptoms managed through technology;[7] and Stephen, who lost his eyesight due to a neurological condition.[8] Viewers are brought into the labs of around a dozen scientists working to overcome the technical challenges involved with "creating hardware for inside a human skull". It contemplates the existential question "what makes us human?"[1]

I Am Human was the directoral debut of Taryn Southern and Elena Gaby, both of whom also produced and wrote the film. It was executive produced by Alex Klokus, the founder of the technology media company Futurism, and the American director Geoff Clark.[9] Shortly before the film's premiere, The Film Company acquired its worldwide distribution rights.[10] The film contains interviews with entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, neuroscientists David Eagleman and John Donoghue, author Ramez Naam, computer scientist Tristan Harris,[11] and professor Nita Farahany.[9]

Release

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I Am Human was debuted at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival to wide acclaim.[12] The documentary film has subsequently become the topic of screenings and expert panel discussion at multiple higher education institutions and international standards organizations ranging from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers[13][14] to Case Western Reserve University[15][16] (2020) and Harvard University (2021).[17] It was screened at the Utah Film Center.[18]

In a review for The Verge, senior tech and policy editor Adi Robertson considered I Am Human to be "an optimistic, wholesome antidote to fearmongering" that had "a refreshing focus on people". Robertson lauded its "fundamentally optimistic" nature with relation to neuroscience and brain medicine.[8] I Am Human won the award for Best Director at the Oslo Film Festival[19] and won Best Feature at the Other Worlds Film Festival in Austin, Texas.[20]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Pardes, Arielle. "Brain-Machine Interfaces Could Give Us All Superpowers". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  2. ^ Banas, Jacob (April 30, 2019). "From Futurism Studios, I Am Human Explores the Future of Neurotechnology". Futurism. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "'The First Cyborgs Are Here': Filmmakers Taryn Southern & Elena Gaby Showcase Brain Implant Tech In 'I Am Human'". CBS News. 2019-05-02. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  4. ^ Stewart, Dillon (January 27, 2020). "I Am Human Documentary Features FES Center, CWRU". Cleveland Magazine. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  5. ^ "'I AM HUMAN': Are Brain Implants the Next Evolutionary Leap?". Dell. 2019-06-03. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  6. ^ Hayes, Dade (2019-03-11). "Tribeca Film Festival Unveils Shorts Lineup; Feature Slate Includes John DeLorean, Muhammad Ali, Chelsea Manning – Update". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2020-11-28. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  7. ^ "I am Human: Anne". CBC. 2020. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Robertson, Adi (2019-05-19). "I Am Human is a tech doc with a refreshing focus on people". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  9. ^ a b "I AM HUMAN | 2019 Tribeca Festival". Tribeca. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  10. ^ Kay, Jeremy (April 29, 2019). "Tribeca doc 'I Am Human' lands at Film Sales Company (exclusive)". Screen International. Archived from the original on 2024-05-19. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  11. ^ "I am Human: Creepy Line". CBC. 2020. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  12. ^ Niesel, Jeff. "Documentary Film 'I Am Human' to Have Its Cleveland Premiere on Jan. 30 at the Hanna Theatre". Cleveland Scene. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  13. ^ "'I Am Human' Film Screening and Panel Discussion". Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  14. ^ "'I Am Human' Film Screening and Panel Discussion". IEEE Entrepreneurship. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  15. ^ Okoben, Janet (2020-01-22). "I AM HUMAN premiere and panel discussion". The Daily. Archived from the original on 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  16. ^ "Super humans". Case Alumnus. 2020-05-01. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  17. ^ "I Am Human: Virtual Panel Discussion". mbb.harvard.edu. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  18. ^ betaece (2020-01-23). "I Am Human". Electrical & Computer Engineering | University of Utah. Archived from the original on 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  19. ^ "I Am Human". Oslo Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  20. ^ "Past Festival - Award Winners". Other Worlds Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
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