Nothing makes me swoon more than an unconventionally bittersweet blossoming relationship between two supposed inanimate objects. Spike Jonze’s new 35 minute mini film which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival conveys an honest, haunting and sincere picture of what it means fall in love and be a robot at the same time.
I’m Here is set in contemporary LA, at a time where strangely enough, robots and humans coexist. The evolution of robotic technology has surpassed it’s aspirations of fulfilling mundane jobs and caused these machines to create budding needs and personalities of their very own. The robots, like humans, begin to find a purpose for their existence, form relationships with one another, and begin to fall in love.
Spike Jonze’s lens flaring cinematography and composition resonate the euphoric qualities of what it represents to be sweetly courted in the most unpredictable of ways, while simultaneously displaying the infinite sadness that comes with a poisonous dependence.Expressive and dramatic in his approach to animation, I’m Here resonates similar emotions as to his 2009 rendition of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. Leaving the viewers in a heart sinking empathetic coma, waiting to be played over and over again.
And of course no Spike Jonze flick is complete without a foolproof soundtrack. Lingering amongst the many obvious charms of film, the 9 track play list is small but packs a serious punch and busting with droning synthesizers and dancing capabilities. Jonze not only knows how to put together a thought provoking and entertaining film, and certainly is no chump to the indie music scene. The sound track features songs by artists such Animal Collective, Of Montreal, Sleigh Bells, Gui Burrato and Girls while bringing us some new faces to fall in love with as well. LA artist Aska Matsumiya makes her debut on this record along side Flea and Nick Zinner with their new band The Lost Trees, on title track “There Are Many of Us”, which coincidently rings a kindred sound comparable to Karen O and the Kids. Also appearing on the soundtrack is Spike’s little brother Sam Spiegel, more commonly known as Squeak E. Clean. Spiegel also composed the score for this film giving it a heavy dose of a futuristic dreamy watercolor atmosphere, that the film would not be complete without.
The I’m Here soundtrack moves with the film so tastefully. Jonze’s ability to explore the fragile harmony of longing and catastrophe in the form of a well curated mix cd is intelligent, unvarnished, and most definitely crush worthy. Mark your calendars folks because the soundtrack will be released October 5th by Chocolate Industries. You can see and listen to all the brilliance from the comfort of your own pajamas, here on the movie’s official website. Sink your teeth in and enjoy!
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