Film to test brink of reality

Feature-length film based on role of robots in lives of humans, director to speak at Grafton

Students interested in film writing and producing or science-fiction are in for a treat, but don't worry — film-making aliens are not descending on JMU.

Even better, award-winning film writer, director and producer Greg Pak, will screen his new movie "Robot Stories" Wednesday at 7 p.m. After the screening, which will be held in Grafton-Stovall Theatre, he will speak to students about the film and his experiences in the independent film industry.

The University Program Board arranged for the screening and Pak's speech, according to junior Marjilla Seddiq, director of cinematic events. She said she heard about Pak through Anthony Marchegiano ('03), a former UPB director who now interns with the filmmaker.

"This is a great opportunity for film students, and students interested in writing and producing," Seddiq said.

According to Pak, "Robot Stories" is a collection of four vignettes about human interaction with robots and artificial intelligence. The four pieces are independent, but follow a cycle-of-life pattern, starting with a piece set in the present about a couple who must take care of a robotic baby before they can adopt a human child. He said the stories go on over time, with the final piece taking place in 2027, when a man must choose between natural death or robotic immortality.

The film currently is showing in New York and Washington, D.C., and, in the coming weeks, will be released in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis and San Fransisco, according to Marchegiano.

This is Pak's first feature-length film; his previous work includes a dozen short independent movies, according to his Web site, www. gregpak.com. He said the film is "about people grappling with changing technology, and the emotional side … of a changing world."

The idea for the film came from his childhood penchant for robots, and his later appreciation for science fiction in that "things don't blow up, [like] 'The Twilight Zone' or [the works of] Ray Bradbury," Pak said.

Marchegiano said, "I'm glad it's being able to be shown to an audience that's pretty far out of the independent circuit. Greg's a great speaker with a lot of energy, and I think people will enjoy the grassroots campaign we're running with this film."

Pak said he enjoyed making the film because it allowed him to combine aspects of science fiction and artificial intelligence with humanistic questions, such as, "what it is to think, feel, learn and love?"

Tickets for the presentation are available at the door for $3.