Computer Chess

2014 • 87 minutes

About this movie

In 1980 a group of software programmers converge on a rundown hotel in Middle America for a weekend in which they will stage the ultimate battle between man and machine. The challenge is to program computer software to take on and defeat a human in chess. Meanwhile another group of new age types has descended on the hotel at the same time for primal therapy and group relations, in the case of one zealous hippy couple. Government agents seem to be monitoring the findings of the software designers on the chance they stumble upon a cutting edge breakthrough. A litter of stray cats wander around the corridors while the more ambitious jostle for recognition among their peers. Shot on video using Sony portapaks from the era, Computer Chess recreates a period of ridiculous fashions, facial hair and haircuts in the ultimate search and deadpan meditation on artificial intelligence by contrasting the future from the prism of the not so distant past. © Computer Chess 2013

Ratings and reviews

Forget the lame Chris Guest mockumentaries, this is the best film of its kind since Man Bites Dog. A very impressive film indeed, and with a brand of humour all of its own. No subtitles.