‘Looking Forward’: A Brief Film for Our Times.
Optimism? Pessimism? The compelling (and beautiful) case for both at once.
A scene from the opening moments of Looking Forward, a new, brief film by our friend Steven Ascher. As you’ll see, the film combines advanced AI techniques with very real-world footage, to present the contradictions of our age.
Several years ago, Deb and I had the enormous good fortune of working with the filmmakers Jeanne Jordan and Steven Ascher, of West City Films, on the ‘Our Towns’ documentary for HBO.1
On Vimeo, Steve has just now posted a free version of a powerful and arresting 12-minute new film he has made. It is called Looking Forward, and it is about the spirit with which we confront (and embrace) this age.
You can see the film here. If you start, I think you’ll continue. I hope you’ll start.
It even includes boiled-frog and leaf blower cameos! And an “I can’t believe he got that shot!” final segment. Deb and I have some idea, from 100 days on the road filming with Steve and Jeanne and their team, how hard these shots are to capture.
Thanks to Steve for sharing it. I hope you’ll find it worth watching. Deb and I did.
This was under the stewardship of HBO’s documentary chieftains Lisa Heller and Nancy Abraham. and with the support and impetus of HBO’s then-head, the visionary longtime leader Richard Plepler.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I have been wondering how I will get through the next four years of needless government-sponsored cruelty, and this brief video has helped provide the strength and will to persist and support others.
I don't know what to say, but I can't seem to stop crying.