Advantageous

2015 • 91 minutes

About this movie

In a metropolis in the near future, Gwen Koh, a beautiful woman full of poise and grace, works as the spokesperson for the Center for Advanced Health and Living, a company that offers a radical new technology allowing people to overcome their natural disadvantages and begin life anew. But when a shift in company priorities threatens her job and her family, will Gwen undergo the procedure herself?

Ratings and reviews

Advantageous is a science-fiction film about the problems that result in a near-future in which new technology is used to perpetuate old-fashioned attitudes. Imagine a future in which technology lets you change the way people see you from the outside, and what that might mean from the inside. Director Jennifer Phang made a very fine film, which is geared to people who like a real story and not just gadgets and gizmos. The film had an award-winning debut in early 2015 at the Sundance Film Festival. I've been following Jennifer's career since I rented her earlier feature "Half-Life" some years ago. Her work is personal, intimate and yet filled with the questions that make speculative fiction intriguing. By way of mild disclaimer, one of my songs appears briefly about 5 minutes into this film. The main portion of the soundtrack is excellent work by Timo Chen. I recommend "Advantageous' for folks who like their sci-fi thoughtful but active rather than pulpy and raygun. It's a fine film., now available at Google Play.

It's one thing reading all this speculative post-singularity fiction, it is entirely different seeing it played out by humans on screen. There were parts of this film that made me feel very squeamish. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Even if I didn't have a part in making this movie, I'm just stunned by the trippy nature of the piece every time I watch it. If you like trippy Sci-Fi with a little heart check out this movie!