I Am Human

I don't know why this documentary would be catagorized in the thriller genre, I must have missed a point there, but whatever, the truth is that I Am Human is a very interesting documentary, with serious topics like our brain capacities and how far we could or should explore, about curing all kind of diseases, injuries or conditions by understanding our brain functions better. I'm in awe when i see what we are already capable to achieve now, not sure though if it is morally correct to be able to alternate or improve certain things. Should we just cure illnesses, give sight back to a blind person, hearing to the deaf and other handicaps? Or instead should we look further and discover things we couldn't imagine a couple years ago? Things that aren't necessary a good thing even though it would improve everyone's personal life. Do we still need to stretch out our lifespan on this earth? We are already driving at a wall at high speed, with no breaks, the planet will be oversaturated, do we really need people to get much older? I Am Human raises questions, but most of all it brings hope for people with diseases or conditions that we thought were uncurable at one point. It's very well explained, sometimes emotional to watch, but it will make you for sure talk about it.

I don't usually publish IMDB reviews, but after seeing this film at the Tribeca Film Festival I felt compelled to share my thoughts.

I Am Human is a documentary that ostensibly tells the story of three medical patients and their experiences with state-of-the-art neurotechnology. However, the film really shines when exploring the marriage of many of today's hot button themes: Technology, Medicine, Ethics, Entertainment, and Psychology.

The film features key contributions from thought leaders including Bryan Johnson, who is the CEO of Kernal and a pioneering entrepreneur in neurotechnology, and Nita Farahanu, who is a Professor of Law & Philosophy at Duke University. The film seamlessly moves between the three patients and industry experts, so that the audience gradually understands the risks and benefits of the emerging technology as the patients learn the same.

This is the rare documentary where the technical contributions match the narrative contributions. The cinematography, editing, and score were all fantastic and made me feel like I was watching a big-budget medical thriller instead of a thoughtful documentary. As an added bonus, the film is directed by two vibrant young women. Their intelligence and passion was infectious and obvious through each segment of the film, even before they participated in a live Q&A session after the film.

As my personal methodology, I only award films a maximum 10/10 score if they hit me in both the head and the heart. That is, if they make me both think and feel deeply. I Am Human checks those boxes and more. It is the first film in a few years where I left with zero criticisms, yet many questions. I do not expect my questions to be answered for several years, until neurotechnology enters our homes and lives, but I wait with both excitement and fear over how the technology could change our understanding of what it means to be "human."

I Am Human is a masterpiece. It should not be limited to film festivals and deserves a wider release. If I had watched this film during high school or college, then I would have strongly considered focusing my studies on neurotechnology. Highly recommended.

"I AM HUMAN is a tech doc with a refreshing focus on people.... a moving trio of narratives about people who are trying to overcome serious physical limitations with cutting-edge brain science." - The Verge

"An unusually intelligent, wide-ranging, and balanced overview of where the research stands..... a compelling and thought-provoking experience" - The Big Think

"A visually stunning movie...I AM HUMAN takes a deep-dive into the complex intersection of medicine and technology, it handles its subjects' lives and relationships with great care. " - Dell Technologies Magazine

"I Am Human has its optimistic curiosities and lets its audience contemplate their own curiosities. It doesn't pretend that the path is clear, but it is moving forward." - Slash Film Daily

"Watching Bill, Stephen, and Anne grapple with the decision to implant chips in their brains is a far more difficult reality than anything in Black Mirror." - Wired

"Deeply thoughtful yet boundlessly optimistic...I AM HUMAN explores the future of brain computer interfaces to treat debilitating illnesses and strengthen qualities such as empathy and creativity" - Psychology Today, July 2019

"The film is scientific and humanizing, with a narrative that bounces back and forth between neurosurgeons and the lives of ordinary people. So begins "I Am Human," an unsettling and fascinating film about brain implant technology and the future implications of artificial intelligence." - The Sunflower

"Everything about this documentary captivated me. I AM HUMAN takes a fascinating look at how technology can be combined with the human body to possibly help people that modern medicine can't. On top of the intriguing ideas explored in the film, all of the subjects are interesting and their stories truly tugged at my heart." - Dan Repp, Other Worlds Senior Programmer and Event Director

"...an important new addition pertaining to vital discussions around the delicate intersection of the brain and its actual augmentation by technology that is anticipated to take place in a mass manner." - Forbes

"The future is here and that's a good thing. Finally, a medical doc that captures cutting edge science with real progress and emotional payoff. I left the film energized for what comes next." - Igal Svet, Senior Director of Development, Nat Geo

"A fascinating look at the capabilities of the intersection of artificial intelligence & the human brain, told through genuine human experience. Co-directors Taryn Southern & Elena Gaby want you to understand the belief that 'the future is not dystopic.' Their doc exemplified hope, even for this tech skeptic." - Maura Bennett - producer for NBC News & MSNBC

"...MIND BLOWING! See this MOVIE!!!!" - Liz Spaulding, Director, Marketing at Starz

"The film is magnificent. Powerful, beautifully shot, emotional and an exciting glimpse into what is coming." - Mark Goffman, Producer/Writer (West Wing, The Umbrella Project)

Awards: 1. Best of the Fest - El Dorado Film Festival 2. Audience Choice - Best Feature - Eastern Oregon Film Festival 3. Outstanding First Feature - Tallgrass Film Festival 4. Best Director - Oslo Film Festival 5. #2 Critics Choice - Trieste Science Fiction Film Festival 6. Best Feature - Other Worlds Austin

FESTIVALS: Tribeca Film Festival, Catalina Film Festival, El Dorado Film Festival, Buffalo Film Festival, Eastern Oregon Film Festival, Tallgrass Film Festival, Napa Valley Film Festival, Other World's Film Festival, Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, Heartland International Film Festival, Trieste Film Festival (Italy), Oslo Film Festival (Norway), American Film Festival (Poland), Future Gate Sci-Fi Film Festival, Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Transitions Film Festival (Australia), Treefort Festival (Idaho)

Everyone uses stairways. Stair ways on wheels, stairways that are flat, tiny stairsways. One of the stairways that wasn't featured, the ocean stairway, was red. This wasnt a real stairway, but instead imagined. An individual imagins someone leaving the ocean on these red stairs, climbing to the top and waiting at the top.

This is a well made documentary which focuses on the breakthroughs of deep brain stimulation. However, I find the documentary rather one sided, presenting only the positives of the breakthroughs. Hence, I regard this as an infomercial rather than a real documentary.