Author: Deborah Bennett
It is not every day young Te Puke film makers get their short film judged at the Cannes International Film Festival. Film director and actress Esraa Muse was stoked to be told by the head of Tik Tok that she made a “massive achievement… I should be proud as I’ve made it ahead of tens of thousands of submissions all around the world.”
Her locally produced film Anti Play was co-written with Director of Photography Josiah Clumont. They filmed it all in a Te Puke back alley, one dark autumn night.
Anti Play is a test pilot of a sci-fi/fantasy futuristic narrative. It is a mesmerising preview designed for a web series yet to produced. The film is a visual interpretation of an artificially intelligent, robotic future as predicted by highly regarded bestselling historian, Israeli Professor Yuval Noah Harari. Anti Play reveals a world populated by an “impractical class” of humans where artificial intelligence and computers replace work and domestic functions of society. A small elite group control access to jobs, skills and higher education to the majority “impractical class.”
The film’s protagonist is a young, intelligent, isolated human character, Esraa. Esraa Muse describes the lead character:
Esraa uses wit, gumption, some good luck, survival skills, but most importantly her humanity, to create her own artificially intelligent machine-learning tool. She starts a movement to free other “impracticals” from their oppression.
Esraa’s machine even calls her mama.
That’s a bit strange, but if you think of someone who is so isolated from society… almost no family, that something you created (could allow for) a personal, even intimate relationship with it.
Esraa’s costume is quintessential for the future AI driven era depicted in the film. Costuming draws a style from the early Star Trek series. Her silver dress is also a nod to astronaut attire.
Esraa Muse describes herself as co-writer and ideas person for Anti Play. She also plays the lead role of Esraa. She says, “When I’m acting, I’m so focused…I just listen to the director…But behind the scenes I’m giving it as much as I can.” Esraa Muse is a trained actor, who’s acted in local films.
The film-making process for Esraa Muse has been a life-changing experience. “As you create films and play (act) in films, you discover more of yourself…It’s a journey of discovery. Sometimes you don’t know if your decision is right or wrong. You have to fail fast. You have to keep picking yourself up.”
Upon accepting her award, Esraa Muse’s response is to be proud of yourself, take it as it is, seeing it was a significant achievement. She says, “be humble in your attitude of gratitude.”
The Anti Play synopsis will be heading internationally to seek funding in partnership with businesses already vested in the Meta Verse.
Image: Leading protagonist Esraa. Photo credit: Esraa Muse 2023
