Debug (film)
| Debug | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | David Hewlett |
| Produced by | Steve Hoban |
| Written by | David Hewlett |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Tim Williams |
| Cinematography | Gavin Smith |
| Edited by |
|
Production company |
Copperheart Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Signature Entertainment |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 82 minutes[2] |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Debug is a 2014 Canadian science fiction horror film written and directed by David Hewlett. It stars Jeananne Goossen, Adrian Holmes, Adam Butcher, Kjartan Hewitt, Sidney Leeder, and Jaydn Wong as computer programmers who must deal with a hostile artificial intelligence on an interstellar spaceship. It was released on 3 November 2014 in the UK.
Synopsis
Six young computer programmers on work release are tasked to debug the artificial intelligence of an interstellar spaceship. Sensing danger, the AI fights back against the programmers.
Cast
- Jeananne Goossen[3] as Kaida, the lead programmer
- Adrian Holmes[3] as Capra, a man in charge of the group of hackers
- Adam Butcher[3] as James McKay, the youngest member of the group of hackers
- Kerr Hewitt (credited as Kjartan Hewitt)[3] as Mel Wheeler, an expert in computers and the leader of the group
- Kyle Mac as Samson Connoly, the rebel of the group who is also afraid of rats
- Sidney Leeder[3] as Lara Riley, a young woman who is also a convicted eco-terrorist and who is later revealed to have feelings for Mel Wheeler
- Jaydn Wong[3] as Diondra Tam
- Jason Momoa[3] as Iam, the ship's psychopathic AI who ends up turning the group of hackers against each other
- Tenika Davis as the unnamed Female Prisoner seen at the beginning of the film
- Kate Hewlett as Accounting Program
Production
Writer-director Hewlett was inspired by Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, which he saw as a child. Hewlett said that he wanted to make a film from the point of view of HAL 9000, the antagonist of that story.[4] Hewlett intentionally cast Momoa as the ship's AI against type. Momoa wanted to do a project different than his traditional roles, and Hewlett was impressed with Momoa's creativity and range, the two men having previously worked together on the sci-fi series, Stargate Atlantis. Although there were concerns about the AI's name, Iam, Hewlett settled the disputes by stating that names are inherently subjective.[5]
Production took place at Pinewood Toronto Studios,[6] and was scheduled to run from 14 February to 8 March.[7] Producer Steve Hoban, who previously collaborated with Hewlett on Vincenzo Natali's films, described it as "Final Destination meets Cube".[8] In September 2014, Shock Till You Drop reported that it had completed production and was awaiting distribution.[9]
Release
Signature Entertainment released Debug in the UK on 3 November 2014.[1] Entertainment One will distribute the film in Canada.[3]
Reception
Charles Packer of Sci Fi Online rated it 7/10 stars and wrote that the film is unoriginal but worth a watch.[10] Joel Harley of HorrorTalk rated it 2/5 stars and described it as "essentially a low-budget 2001: A Space Odyssey for people who want none of the art, story or believable special effects (or three hour runtime) that go hand-in-hand with Kubrick's classic."[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Collinson, Gary (2014-10-27). "Giveaway – Win Debug on DVD". Flickering Myth. Retrieved 2014-11-03.
- ↑ "Debug". BBFC. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Vlessing, Elan (2013-03-11). "Entertainment One Acquires Canadian Rights to David Hewlett Thriller 'Debug'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
- ↑ Hewlett, David (2013-02-20). "David Hewlett: My secret plans for a Stargate Atlantis movie + more". Blastr. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
- ↑ Huddleston, Kathie (2014-03-31). "EXCLUSIVE: David Hewlett on Stargate and what sci-fi needs now". Blastr. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
- ↑ DeMara, Bruce (2013-03-22). "Toronto’s film and television industry soars to new heights". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
- ↑ Barton, Steve (2013-02-12). "David Hewlett to Debug the Sci-Fi/Horror Genre". Dread Central. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
- ↑ Keslassy, Elsa (2014-01-30). "Paris-based WTFilms Expands Scope Beyond Pure Genre". Variety. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
- ↑ Turek, Ryan (2014-09-27). "3-Minute Clip from Debug With Jason Momoa, Tenika Davis Hits the Web". Shock Till You Drop. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
- ↑ Packer, Charles (2014-11-03). "Debug". Sci Fi Online. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
- ↑ Harley, Joel (2015-01-25). "Debug". Horror Talk. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
External links
- Debug at the Internet Movie Database
- Debug at Rotten Tomatoes