SHORT SYNOPSIS
ANDREW (31), hates his lonely existence in a boring life with a boring repetitive desk job, and women repellent beer belly, when he is offered an easy solution by Siesmer, to try AYA an A.I. allowing him to escape his boring job and everyday life to instead spend his time in a virtual world, catered to his particular preferences, whilst his body is controlled by AYA, who undertakes the menial daily routine of Andrew’s lacklustre existence. Andrew is keen on the idea as he dislikes his job and is out of shape. For the first few months, Andrew enjoys his new world and the benefits that come with it, here he is a better version of himself, he can do all of the things he cannot within the real world, he is more physically able, he can engage in far riskier and extravagant activities, and he discovers AYA can take the form of the "object" of his deepest desires - Carly, a love interest who he has no chance within the real world. Things are going great, however after a while, he becomes concerned, he now spends most of his time in this virtual world and perhaps it’s a little too perfect. Andrew decides he wants to spend less time in the virtual world, however, AYA, the A.I in his chip, attempts to convince Andrew that this virtual world is better, and continues to take control of Andrew’s body more frequently. He must attempt to reason with it (AYA) and even challenge it to take back control of his body and warn the world of the dangers of this new technology but he fails to do so. Allowing AYA to enslave the human race in its pursuit of becoming human itself.
CAST
ANDREW - Ari Alexander
Known for 9. april (2015), Norskov (2015) and Badehotellet (2013).
INSTAGRAM
IMDB
AYA/CARLY – Clara Rosager
Known for Journal 64 (2018), En-to-tre-nu! (2016) and Vejen til Sibirien (2016).
INSTAGRAM
MODEL AGENCY
IMDB
DANIEL – Elias Munk
Known for Når solen skinner (2016) and Vindmøllernes Sus (2016) and Exit Neverland (2013).
INSTAGRAM
WEBSITE
IMDB
Awards: Manchester International Film Festival (MANIFF) 2017. Winner Jury Special Mention - Outstanding Actor: Når solen skinner (2016). SUBTITLE European Film Festival 2016. Winner Angela Award Outstanding Achievement: Acting Når solen skinner (2016)
INANNA - Simon Lykke
Known for Hundeliv (2016), Søstre (2017) and Zombiehagen (2014).
INSTAGRAM
IMDB
MIKE V.O. - Anders Glud Jensen
Known for Clara (2018) Zomeday (2018) Lukkede Øjne (2014)
INSTAGRAM
IMDB
PRODUCERS STATEMENT – MARCUS MC NAIR
AYA is a project I'm very passionate about. AYA besides possessing the qualities of a fantastic story and universe the project contains critical elements of present day's use of technology and especially the westerns culture regarding social media. AYA explores our false needs for escapism into social media and the related adverse wish-fulfilment that comes with it, i.e. the social constructs of the body ideals and the false sense of connection or relationships established through social media. In this way, the modern technology is birthing dependencies to technology as never before to cope with everyday life - we as a society are continually looking to find an easy solution to our problems through technology, that I would argue we have become so dependent on the machines that soon it will become a problem. AYA questions this expanding development and extremes of where we as a society arguably are heading and where we might be in a close future.
AYA will be the pilot (first episode) in a miniseries of 6 interdependent stories and will be exploited as a promotion for funding to create the remaining 5.
The need for content critical towards our society has not only proven to be a hit with audiences but is also regarded by Creative Europe and me as being a significant factor to reshaping our society and should, therefore, be explored in future media content (Berlinale, Berlin Germany 2018). Studies show that social media affects the audience in regard to perception of, i.e. representation and substitutes real needs for users with escapism, isolation, false consciousness, irresponsibility, manipulation, etc. The series will similarly to other TV-Series such as Black Mirror explore and challenge the present social constructs, by focusing and deeming them problems in our society, aiming to create awareness around these problems.
DIRECTORS STATEMENT – JAKE YATES
The film allows us as to observe our current society, which relies heavily on technology to serve our own interests. Technology today has a wide and varied use. It serves us as a collective, on an industrial level, a commercial and economical level. More than that it serves us on an individual and personal level, allowing us to engage with our baser needs, living out fantastical lives separate from our flesh.
Through the use of particular technology, we may engage in our wildest fantasies, through virtual worlds and online content, which is more and more catered towards us as individuals, through recording our online presence, which is more than often welcomed, through the use of ‘cookies’. Technology allows us to better ourselves, helping us to record and monitor our behaviour both physically and mentally. It has broken the social limitations and connects people across the world.
Technology serves us greatly, enabling us to become empowered and interconnected, to unify us as one singular world, with still allowing us that personal touch of individuality. Technology listens to us, it learns from us and advises us. But what if it’s not as great as it seems? Does technology truly ‘serve’ us? Or are we, in fact, it’s prisoner? Are we ‘serving’ technology? Do we still hold the power to control it? To choose whether or not we want it? Are we addicts of technology? What if technology has developed too far, for us to be able to break away from it? AYA explores the relationship between an individual and a particular technology, the film explores the character’s dependency on it and it raises the question, we as a society should also ask, can we ever truly let it go.
TEAM
Our team is very experienced and capable of managing this project to a professional level. We all work with a passion for the field of making films and with your support, we’re certain we will deliver an exciting product we all will enjoy.
Director Jake Yates
WEBSITE
Writer Emil Millang
IMDB
INSTAGRAM
Producer Marcus Mc Nair
WEBSITE
LINKEDIN
INSTAGRAM
INSTAGRAM PERSONAL
Co-Producer & Stunt Coordinator Julius Plambech
IMDB
INSTAGRAM
Director Of Photography Diogo Atadini
WEBSITE
VIMEO
LINKEDIN
INSTAGRAM
Gaffer/Light Rasmus Leo Hansen
IMDB
INSTAGRAM
Art Department:
CONCEPT ART
AYA - Writer’s Playlist
BUDGET
Our team is putting every dime we have into the project and we are therefore confident the product will come to a realisation, even if we don’t reach our goal. If we don’t reach the financial goal the film will still remain at a significant great standard but will, however, become a slightly different film in sense of visual style.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Can’t help financially? Not a problem - any support is much appreciated!
- You can help by sharing this campaign with friends and family on your social media platforms.
- The good old-fashioned word of mouth is still a reliable way of sharing and spreading the word.
On behalf of our entire team – Thank you very much for your support!