The one movie Ridley Scott called an act of genius: “It warns us what happens”
Some 20 years after his original Gladiator film, director Ridley Scott has returned with another epic for the ages, creating a sweeping historical drama about the happenings of Ancient Rome. Scott has discussed many of his creative influences over the years and even named one of his own films as one of his favourite films of all time, but he has continually praised one director in particular and believes that their titular film is an act of genius.
Stanley Kubrick needs no introduction—he is arguably the greatest director of all time, and his films remain a deep well of inspiration with countless layers to pick apart and dissect, with no detail or stone left unturned. Among his work, which includes the groundbreaking The Shining, Barry Lyndon, and A Clockwork Orange, many critics have cited his 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey as the most influential from his filmography.
It’s a nearly impossible film to describe if you haven’t seen it, and one that demands to be watched, but it follows a group of people on a space mission, aided by the help of a high-tech computer called HAL-9000. The story demands a lot of patience, with a plot that slowly unravels before your eyes and revels in the subtle tension of each frame, which Kubrick stages and designs beautifully in this immersive futuristic story.
When discussing his influences during the recent press junkets, Scott said, “I think Kubrick did a film that predetermines everything by 50 years with AI. He did 2001. 2001 is an act of genius because it warns us what happens if we allow AI into our universe. It will take over, and all it has to do is switch off, and you’ve got chaos. It could switch that off for fun. If I’m gonna design an AI, I’m gonna say, “Okay, the first job for you is I want you to design another AI smarter than you are.”
Scott is absolutely correct, and Kubrick has created a timeless message that only becomes more relevant as the years go on, predicting our reliance on and addiction to technology. As 2001: A Space Odyssey unfolds, you slowly realise that nothing is as peaceful as it seems, and the deceivingly calm environment soon has a permanent undercurrent of violence and unrest despite no physical threats being present. It is distinctly unnerving and hypnotic as we watch humanity itself be overshadowed by the omnipotent presence of technology that will eventually destroy us all.
Given the recent debates about the role of artificial intelligence in the film industry and arts in general, the message couldn’t be more urgent today, almost as if Kubrick knew that these technological advancements would threaten creativity and he could predict the state of our world right now.
The potential of AI for some industries is genuinely beneficial, such as the medical field, where certain cancers can be spotted much earlier through this technology. However, it should not have any place in the arts, and one of the lasting testaments to Kubrick’s genius is the fact that he advocated for this right before its imminent obsoletion became our reality.
