Movies

Short of the Day: ‘The Story of R32’ – Have You Hugged Your Robot Today?

Isolation and acceptance in a tech-heavy time.
By  · Published on August 18th, 2017

Isolation and acceptance in a tech-heavy time.

Robots need friends too, I guess, or at least the star of today’s short film selection does. The film is The Story of R32, and the robot in question is the titular alpha-numeric designate. At the helm and in charge of the visual effects is Vladimir Vlasenko, and what he manages to accomplish, narratively, in less than three minutes is a heart-wrenching, fabular take on the isolation bred by technological advancements and the general distrust that arises from members of a disconnected but co-dependent society.

As callous as it is tender, The Story of R32 is simple in its attempt and flawless in its execution. The animation is perfectly integrated into the real-world setting, and the anthropomorphic attributes of R32 make for an oddly relatable protagonist and an empathetic ending. A little bit Wall-E, a little bit Space Camp, and a whole lot of greatness, The Story of R32 is can’t-miss sci-fi with a heart as big as a mega drive.

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