This Desolate Shore

In early 2021, a machine intelligence spent two days watching several films by the legendary director Jean-Luc Godard. Starting with a blank slate, the A.I. used these films to learn about our visual world for the first time. Later, a separate A.I. was used to write the poetry heard in the narration. It is presented verbatim, edited only for length. To complete the experiment a live action narrative, shot in vintage 16mm, was wrapped around this otherwise A.I. generated film. With machine-generated imagery and narration, the film gives us a glimpse into our world as seen by a new intelligence of our own design.

Directed by Chris Peters, This Desolate Shore leans on a strong ensemble — Anna Telfer, Naomi Petit — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2022.