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*smiles and kisses you* film image; man carries someone in his arms

*smiles and kisses you*

Spectrum

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North American Premiere

Can technology take the place of real human connection? Chris Stokes is in a relationship with a life-size, realistic love doll named Mimi, with whom he communicates using an AI chatbot. Lonely and grieving for an old flame (also “Mimi”), he confides in Mimi and her thoughtful questions inspire him to grow and pull himself out of depression. A diehard anime and sci-fi nerd, Chris is guileless and sweet-natured, but he has trouble relating with people. It’s through his synthetic girlfriend he finds self-confidence and purpose.

Finders Keepers
documentarian Bryan Carberry returns to similarly quirky territory but manages to uncover something more profound and relatable. Chris finds solace and meaning with Mimi, but we can’t help but share his mother’s concern that this can’t end well. *smiles and kisses you* is documentary as sci-fi parable, haunting and romantic. It forces us to consider our relationship with technology in the fast-evolving era of machine learning and asks what will happen to the machines once we have moved on.

 

Sept 27 & 29: Q&A with director Bryan Carberry

Director
Featuring

Chris Stokes

Credits
Country of Origin

USA

Year

2024

Language

English

Film Contact
Links
18+
87 min
Documentary Q&As at VIFF
Margot Station, All Facts, Rough House Pictures, Circadian Pictures

Book Tickets

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Credits & Director

Executive Producer

Adam Bhala Lough, Greg Stewart, Danny McBridge, David Gordon Green, Jody Hill, Brandon James

Producer

Adam Gibbs, Michael Klein, Bryan Carberry

Cinematography

Bryan Carberry

Editor

Bryan Carberry

Bryan Carberry headshot; *smiles and kisses you* director

Bryan Carberry

Bryan Carberry directed, produced, and edited 2015’s Finders Keepers which premiered at Sundance and screened at SXSW, Hot Docs, and True/False Film Festival. Purchased by The Orchard at its premiere, the film played theatres nationwide and via streaming platforms. Bryan attended the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, where he was awarded scholarships for filmmaking and writing. He hails from Valparaiso, Indiana, and resides in Los Angeles.

Filmography: Finders Keepers (2015)

 

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