If To Err was to be adapted into a feature film, it could have potential to go down as one the science fiction greats. Otherwise this beautiful short could earn its place among other classics like Le Jetee or Trip to the Moon. This is down to the wondrous direction of rising talent Nanci Cruz and the imaginative and clever screenplay from J. M Elliot.
The story follows a space sattelite, operated by artificial intelligence as it forms an unlikely friendship with a sound engineer through endless streams of transmissions. It is impossible to talk about the film without revealing spoilers but what can be said is that To Err is a poignant tale about what it means to be human. While this question has been explored many times in science fiction Cruz and Elliot find a way to craft this into an original piece.
While there are subtle callbacks to other science fiction greats such as 2001, Blade Runner, Silent Running and even Her, it never loses track of the story it is trying to tell. Through its use of edited archive footage, visual effects, musical score and dialogue we stay invested in the emotions both characters go through. By the end of the film, the results are sure to be nothing short of satisfying.
To Err is a true love letter to science fiction, stating the importance of the genre's place in the world, exploring human curiosity, exploration and wonder of the universe. These themes has lived in recent events this year such as the Virgin galactic flight and Elon Musk's successful Starship launch. This film could not be more timely.