GOODBYE PYTHON

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GOODBYE PYTHON

By Frankie FOX

BFI NETWORK SOUTH WEST - as CONS

Science-fiction - Completed 2023

When the funding is cut from their grief healing program Kai is ordered to shut down Python, a conscious computing system. Guiding the computer to sleep Python runs the simulation on Kai against protocol, and they are forced to confront the person they need let go of the most...

- Year of production
- 2023
- Genres
- Science-fiction, LGBT, Drama
- Countries
- UNITED KINGDOM
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Duration
- 9 mn
- Director(s)
- Frankie FOX
- Writer(s)
- Frankie FOX, Bryn CHAINEY
- Producer(s)
- Milo BEYTS (Primary Colour Pictures)
- Synopsis
- Kai (a late twenties software engineer at North Creek Genetics Incorporated) floats weightlessly in a sensory deprivation tank. Pink and blue pastel coloured light glows all around them illuminating their face as they smoke a cigarette. While floating in meditation we begin to notice details about Kai; their baby blue coloured hair, striking eyes, and top surgery scars.
  
  It is clear that something is weighing heavily on Kai as they twist the signet ring on their finger. As a tear falls from their eye they are interrupted by Python - the complex conscious computing system that Kai has engineered the grief healing simulation program with. When Python confronts Kai about why they are using the sensory deprivation pod (meant for patients of the program only), Kai cracks and tells Python the truth - the funding has been cut from their program.
  
  As Kai is wrapping things up in the lab (packing away all of their belongings) and preparing to shut everything down, Python soon realises this is their last chance to run the simulation and help the person they care about most; Kai.
  
  Kai frantically fights against the rogue computer, flicking switches, ripping plugs out of power boards all to try and stop the simulation from running and showing them the thing they need to see most in order to move on - their pre-transitioned self.
  
  Just when Kai thinks they’ve stopped the program, a slime covered hand appears behind them. Kai is now faced with their past self as visions from childhood flash before their eyes. With a tender embrace, Kai gains closure by interacting with the projection of their pre-transitioned self.
  
  Kai removes the signet ring from their finger and with a final embrace gives the ring to the figure. When the projection has disappeared Kai stands in the laboratory alone, processing what has just happened and the loss of their friend (Python).
  
  As they pick up the cardboard box filled with remnants of their old life Kai decides to leave it all behind in the lab. As Kai exits the lab for the last time, they place their troll doll (a childhood memento) atop the computer screen as a symbolic gift for Python.