The Singularity (film)

The Singularity
Directed by Doug Wolens
Produced by Doug Wolens
Release dates
  • 2012 (2012)
Running time
 76 minutes
Country United States
Language English

The Singularity is a 2012 documentary film about the technological singularity, produced and directed by Doug Wolens. The film has been called "a large-scale achievement in its documentation of futurist and counter-futurist ideas”.[1]

Topical organization of the film

Doug Wolens organized his interviews with the commentators (see list below) by this set of topics, related to the singularity. During each topic or subtopic several commentators provide their viewpoints, some with suggestions on how to get there, others with a skeptical opinion about when it will happen.

Commentators, in order of their appearance in the film

Music

American composer Christopher (“Chrizzy”) Lancaster scored the original soundtrack for the film. The soundtrack was created by the processing of acoustic cello sound through real-time samplers, audio effects and filtering recording his cello and feedback.

Release

The Singularity had limited theatrical release beginning with the 1400 seat Castro Theatre in San Francisco in September 2013, along with screening at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge MA, the Smith Rafael Film Center in Marin California, and The Santa Fe Center for Contemporary Arts. The film has also has had screenings at Yale University, University of Edinburgh, Arizona State University, NASA, BIL, and others. These screenings featured post-screening discussion with expert panels, and/or question and answer sessions with director Doug Wolens.[2] Doug Wolens has pursued an alternative self-distribution strategy for The Singularity, working directly with theatres, museums, educational institutions, as well as with the national and local press, to promote the screenings and iTunes December, 2012 digital release.[1][2][3][4][5]

Reception

Stephen Cass of the IEEE Spectrum called it "a lively introduction" that does not cover new ground.[6] Geoff Pevere of The Globe and Mail wrote that the film, a "intense, idea-packed account" of the concept, casts McKibben as the most compelling speaker, as his arguments come across the most human, appealing not only to reason but also feeling.[7] Alex Knapp of Forbes wrote that it is "well done and provides a good overview", though he said he would have liked to have seen more criticism of the basic tenet of exponential technological growth.[8] The interviewees themselves also attracted commentary; Case asked why there were no non-white subjects,[6] and Pevere described them called them "neo-hippie, unkempt lonhairs".[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Singularity: A Documentary by Doug Wolens". Ieet.org. Retrieved 2013-10-22.
  2. 1 2 "Arthouse Movie Listings September 11-17, 2013 – Movies – San Francisco". SF Weekly. 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2013-10-22.
  3. ↑ "Pondering Our Cyborg Future in a Documentary About the Singularity – Kasia Cieplak-Mayr von Baldegg". The Atlantic. 2013-01-08. Retrieved 2013-10-22.
  4. ↑ "Exclusive Interview With Doug Wolens, Director of "The Singularity"". Singularity Hub. Retrieved 2013-10-22.
  5. ↑ "Film Screening of The Singularity + Presentation & Panel Discussion". Subtle Technologies. Retrieved 2013-10-22.
  6. 1 2 Cass, Stephen (2012-10-31). "Film Review: The Singularity". IEEE Spectrum. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  7. 1 2 Pevere, Geoff (2013-06-06). "What happens when our machines get smarter than we are? (No, don't ask Siri)". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  8. ↑ Knapp, Alex (2013-01-18). "This Weekend, Check Out An Excellent Documentary On The Singularity". Forbes. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
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