Dr. Easy is a short film developed and financed by Film4 and produced by Ally Gipps for Warp Films. It was directed and written by Jason Groves, Chris Harding and Richard Kenworthy of Shynola. It stars Michael (Tom Hollander) alongside a robot with a medical degree, voiced by Geraldine James. A broken man in possession of a gun and unable to speak due to a severe wound to his mouth, Michael is surrounded by armed police. Can the robot save him?
Film4 states that the short is based on Matthew De Abaitua's novel The Red Men, 'set against a pervasive and Orwellian vision of contemporary society: surveillance, automation, biotechnology, and their implications for our humanity'. Plans are in motion to create a longer feature of the novel: TheRedMenMovie.
Dr. Easy gives little indication as to the circumstances leading to Michael's predicament, however it becomes clear that this is not the main subject of the film. To prove this, the robot seems disinterested of the causes, eager only to make sure that Michael receives appropriate medical attention for his injuries. More C3PO than R2-S2, the visually unisex robot has a soothing feminine voice, that is used to persistently reassure Michael while simultaneously profiling him for the police operatives.
I won't give away the whole plot in case you were interested in having a look at the film, but it does leave you wondering about the suggestive name 'Easy'. It may be leading us to contemplate whether robot interception can be considered an efficient and 'easy' mode of dealing with threatening situations, or whether it is an inhumane method that is limited in physical and emotional capacities. Similarly, are humans able to empathise and respond to robots or would we merely dismiss them as processing data into false compassion? Ignoring costs and possible technological boundaries, could robot doctors truly be viable in a modern day society, potentially saving the lives of members of the armed forces? Personally, it appeared to me that Dr. Easy is genuinely concerned for Michael's well-being. While it may be programmed to follow a specific script or orders, the autonomous actions and speech of the robot indicate a personality. In addition it is really interesting that Michael himself is unable to verbally communicate, rendering him into a mechanical objects of sorts. He resorts to using his human essence: blood, in order to convey his thoughts.
Do post any comments you have regarding the film or topics if you have seen anything related. The short can be watched here, with the provocative site title:
I was also curious about the robot itself, speculating at first whether the production company had actually made use of a real-life physical robot. Not too much of a stretch considering all of the incredible developments in robot technology of late, particularly in Japan and Taiwan. Unfortunately this was not the case with the film, however the CGI work is still very impressive:
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