To everyone involved with this film:

Wow. Nothing expresses my reaction to ROBOT STORIES better than "wow."

This is possibly one of the best recent independent films I've witnessed in a long time. Hands down the best film I saw at the New Haven Film Fest (certainly a cut above the masturbatory dreck of THE TECHNICAL WRITER and SIMPLE REVENGE), and the most inspiring sci-fi flick since Logan's Run. I was personally in awe of “Clay,” a truly human look at the advancement of technology, as well as a reaffirmation for those of us not in league with our society’s tireless pursuit of eternal youth.

Congratulations to everyone who worked on this, from inspired writer/director Greg Pak, the producers, the wonderful actors, and talented cinematographer Peter Olsen. The effort and passion you all have contributed shines through on the screen, and offers a few strongly needed twists on the status quo of modern cinema.

The filmmakers and actors have really created an excellent, outstanding piece of work. Not since the writings of Bradbury have such poignant and significant examinations of human failings been ironically juxtaposed against “emotionless” machines. These stories show it’s possible to make meaningful science fiction again, without special effects extravaganzas and impossible, disaffecting settings. And even more impressive is the fact that while shot on digital video, it still maintained the crisp, beautifully detailed cinematography that one only expects to find with film. Pak and Olsen have done with DV and modest finances what George Lucas’s STAR WARS: EPISODE II scraped for with an exponentially larger bankroll.

I loved this film, and I hope to see it find its way to theatrical distribution in the near future, despite the apathy of an industry dedicated to ignoring the independent. To see ROBOT STORIES go so easily unappreciated would be a shame.

-- Alexander Duncan (originally posted as a comment to the news item about "Robot Stories" winning an Honorable Mention at Film Fest New Haven