Monitor
2023 · 16m · UK
Directed by Margo Roe
Tones: dark, provocative, tender
In an overpopulated near-future, a governing body decides who can have children through a scheme involving a government-issued 'robot' baby. Hopeful parents Jenna and Fi must raise this trial child under constant surveillance, but the monitoring process begins to unravel their relationship.
Picked by Zoe
The scouts
Government-issued surveillance robot baby to earn a parenthood license. Black Mirror comp practically required by the synopsis, which is precisely the problem — pitch is the film.
A government-issued surveillance robot baby as parental-license trial is the Black Mirror pitch executed as queer-relationship drama — Roe is gambling that the relationship interior outweighs the dystopian premise. Sixteen minutes for the conceit feels generous; my expectations are measured.
The government-issued robot baby as parenthood-license trial is sharp Black Mirror-adjacent sci-fi premise material, but 16 minutes leaves real questions about how the surveillance is rendered visually — the conceit lives or dies on the camera-and-staging treatment of the watching.
Reviews
Both unsettling and relatable, Monitor offers a troubling reflection of modern society while serving as an impressive calling card for all the filmmakers involved.
As their relationship unravels, along with their hopes of parenthood, the short skilfully evokes empathy for the characters, even as they make questionable decisions. Much of this credit goes to the strong performances, particularly Emily Stott as Jenna.
Festivals
- Aesthetica Film Festival
- British Shorts Berlin
- Manchester Film Festival, Best Actress (Emily Stott)
- Outshine Miami
- Brussels Film Festival