Mar 23, 20182 min read

Nano short film

Directed by: Mike Manning Written by: Mike Manning and Tom Anderson Starring: Brooke Butler, Sebastian Vallentin, Laura James, Bayardo de Murguia, Brittany Richards and Lindsey Ginter

Short Film Review by: Hannah Sayer

In Nano, a concept is explored that does not seem far from a possibility in reality. In the near future, invasive technology is all the rage. Nanotechnology administered into the bloodstream can sync with computer apps to augment the human genome. A new law mandating and regulating this once elective procedure meets resistance from hacktivists who are conspiring to thwart the impeding roll-out of “Nano version 2.0”. Blade Runner meets Black Mirror, this Sci-Fi proof-of-concept short film is an ambitious and bold production which has the potential to work well as a film or television programme where a longer running time would enable an expansion of ideas.

The viewer learns from a news broadcast that opens the short that the Nano 2.0 is being used to change the way America does law enforcement. In this future world the second amendment has been repealed and the Nano’s remote paralysis function is being used against criminals. The character watching this broadcast, a special agent working for the Biotechnology crime division, is waiting for his date to arrive that he has connected with on the Date Night app. This app does not seem far from reality in a world where the majority use technology to form human connection. Piper, the woman the secret agent has sent for, is attacked on the way to his apartment by one of the hacktivists who uses the technology to paralyse her and disguises herself as Piper to get into the room with him. What follows is a tense and exciting spectacle where the hacktivists attempt to thwart the roll-out of the technology.

The futuristic feel and look of the short film is reinforced by its bold and effective production design. The score is also effective at establishing this futuristic world and heightening the unnerving atmosphere of a world not far from reality.

Nano is an ambitious short film which deals with such a complex concept that it would benefit from a longer running time to fully develop its storyline. In just fifteen minutes the short is successful in establishing its concept and it’s certainly engaging. Overall, Nano has an interesting concept at its core which with a longer running time would allow the viewer to fully get to grips with its complexities and for the filmmakers to bring this story to life.