Program Note
Sonny, a successful IT developer, and his wife Akiko are overjoyed to welcome their first child into the world. But their happiness quickly turns to despair when they learn that their son, Tōru, has a fatal congenital disease. In desperation, Sonny—who once participated in a highly advanced AI development project—decides to apply that technology to save Tōru. In the film, AI is not merely portrayed as a tool or technology, but as a sensing, responsive presence deeply intertwined with Tōru himself. The story interweaves Tōru’s growth and his unique worldview, brought vividly to life by actress Sandra Guldberg Kampp, whose movements and performance lend powerful credibility to the concept of a Electric Child enhanced by technology. The unsettling and dreamlike visuals and soundscapes within Tōru’s inner world poignantly reflect his identity struggles as he grows. Electric Child blends science-fiction imagination with a refined narrative to explore essential themes such as technology, humanity, ethics, and love. It raises pressing questions about what AI means for us—here and now—while delivering a profound message through its weighty and contemplative ending. (Kani KIM)