AI-driven family drama explores human-technology relationships: “Mothernet,” a new film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ho Wi Ding, delves into the complex interplay between artificial intelligence and human emotions in a near-future Indonesia.
Plot and setting: The story centers around 16-year-old Rama as he navigates life after his mother falls into a coma following a tragic accident.
- An AI program becomes instrumental in helping Rama and his father reconnect and heal from their loss.
- The film is set in Indonesia’s near future, blending real-world locations with virtual production techniques.
Star-studded cast and production: “Mothernet” brings together established talent and rising stars from the Indonesian film industry.
- Dian Sastrowardoyo (known for Netflix’s “Cigarette Girl”) and Ringgo Agus Rahman lead the adult cast.
- Newcomer Ali Fikri takes on the crucial role of Rama.
- The film is a collaboration between Indonesia’s BASE Entertainment, Beacon Film, Singapore’s Refinery Media, and Vietnam-based producer Winnie Lau’s JEM Productions.
Innovative filming techniques: The production leverages cutting-edge technology to bring its vision to life.
- While primarily shot on location in Indonesia, virtual scenes will be filmed at X3D Studio in Singapore.
- These facilities, operated by Refinery Media, are touted as the largest of their kind in Southeast Asia.
Thematic focus: “Mothernet” aims to explore profound questions about human connection in the digital age.
- The film emphasizes love, life, and authentic human relationships against the backdrop of increasing digital interactions.
- Director Ho Wi Ding describes it as a “cautionary tale” about technology’s role in human attachments.
Production timeline and distribution: The film is currently in active production with a clear roadmap for completion.
- Shooting is expected to continue through the third quarter of 2023.
- The finished product is slated for delivery in 2025.
- BASE Entertainment is handling international rights, with no sales agent currently attached.
Director’s background: Ho Wi Ding brings a wealth of experience and critical acclaim to the project.
- His 2010 film “Pinoy Sunday” earned him the best new director award at the Golden Horse Awards.
- “Cities of Last Things,” Ho’s third feature, won the Platform Prize at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.
Industry impact: “Mothernet” is positioned as a potential milestone in Southeast Asian cinema.
- Karen Seah of Refinery Media believes the film represents a “new era” in regional filmmaking.
- The collaborative effort aims to set new benchmarks for the industry through its innovative approach and thematic depth.
Broader implications: “Mothernet” reflects growing global interest in AI’s societal impact.
- The film’s exploration of AI’s role in emotional healing and family dynamics taps into contemporary anxieties and fascinations surrounding technology.
- By setting the story in Indonesia, the film also brings a unique cultural perspective to the global conversation about AI and human relationships.
- As AI continues to advance rapidly, “Mothernet” may serve as a thought-provoking examination of the technology’s potential benefits and pitfalls in our most intimate human experiences.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...