2024 · 110 min · Documentary, science, experimental · Not rated
Narrated by John de Lancie, The Reality of Time takes viewers from the Big Bang through modern physics, ancient philosophy and myth to ask what time actually is.
Synopsis
Does time flow, or do all moments exist at once? The Reality of Time moves from the Big Bang to Einstein’s relativity, quantum theory and the “block universe”, then back through the pre-Socratic philosophers and the myths that first tried to explain the passage of days, asking how the cosmic and quantum pictures of time square with the one we feel.
Guest-narrated by John de Lancie (Q in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Picard), with philosopher Nicole Zillmer, the film is the first feature-length cinematic documentary whose visuals were created and animated with generative AI for video: scientific phenomena, historical epochs and mythological scenes rendered photorealistically rather than with stock footage. It received an Honorable Mention at Athens International in September 2024. VIDART offers the same generative AI production pipeline to commercial and documentary clients.
Details
| Title | The Reality of Time |
| Year | 2024 |
| Runtime | 110 min |
| Genre | Documentary, science, experimental |
| Rating | Not rated |
| Written, directed and produced by | Michael Szymczyk |
| Production company | VIDART |
| Sales | VIDART, worldwide, all rights |
Cast
| John de Lancie | Guest narrator |
| Nicole Zillmer | Philosophy expert |
| Clara Imon Pedtke | |
| Zachary Isrow | |
| Rhashad Washington |
Frequently asked questions
Who narrates The Reality of Time?
John de Lancie, best known as Q in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Picard, is the guest narrator; philosopher Nicole Zillmer appears as the film’s philosophy expert.
Was the film really made with AI?
The visuals were created and animated with generative AI video tools throughout; the script, narration, research, edit and sound are conventional filmmaking. It is the first feature-length cinematic documentary made this way.
Where can I watch it?
It streams free with ads on Filmzie; festival and licensing inquiries go through FilmFreeway or [email protected].
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