Asif Kapadia is mostly known for his work in biographical documentaries, including “Diego Maradona,” “Senna” and, especially, “Amy.”
In “2073,” set to premiere at Venice this week, Kapadia gives us a hybrid of fiction and non-fiction, tackling the Orwellian direction our society is headed into. The film does star actors, including Samantha Morton, Naomi Ackie, and seems to intercut with archival footage of our present day and interviews with real-world figures.
Kapadia’s genre-bending documentary set in the future tackles the biggest challenges endangering our present. ‘2073’ is a ‘true sci-fi’ horror. A warning of the world we will get if we don’t act now. Ghost lives off-grid in a dystopian New San Francisco in the year 2073. The world is controlled by Libertarians, Dictators and Tech Bros. There is no dissent, no freedom. Everyone is monitored, people disappear and the net is closing on Ghost.
The film is said to tackle the threats of “democratic recession,” “the rise of neo-fascism”, the “Climate Disaster” and the intrusion of “surveillance technology.” “2073” was inspired by Chris Marker’s landmark 1962 short “La Jetée,” which ended up being, loosely, adapted by Terry Gilliam in “12 Monkeys.”
“2073” screens out of competition at the 2024 Venice Film Festival and will be distributed by Neon. There is currently no U.S. release date for the film.