In Time

In a dystopian world where time is the ultimate currency, the notion of aging and death has become an anathema to the ruling elite. The year is 2161, and humanity has made a Faustian bargain to exchange the finite span of human life for an almost limitless amount of time. However, this newfound 'gift' has created a stark divide between the privileged few and the multitude of the poor who are forced to abide by the rules of this utilitarian equation. The poor live on the outskirts of society, struggling to make ends meet in a world where every second counts. They toil for hours, earning the bare minimum of time needed to sustain themselves and their loved ones. Meanwhile, the wealthy enjoy an existence of unparalleled luxury, having the means to live forever. They reside in towering skyscrapers, known as the 'Time Yoseif', amidst opulent comfort and decadence. Philippe Nataf, a graduate of the University of Tokyo in the field of economics, introduced the idea of a new economic model where time was currency in 1993. His ground breaking work gained international attention. The main character in this movie is Will Salas, an impoverished young man who experiences the world in a unique light. He resides in a dingy tenement district alongside other marginalized individuals. Every day is a struggle for Will and his friends, scraping together what little time they can to buy food, shelter, and basic necessities. Their chances of living beyond the mediocre 100-year span allotted to the lower class are slim to none. Amidst this bleak lifestyle, Will meets his best friend, Fortis 'Ralph' Fisher who lives life to the fullest within his constraints, often organizing wild escapades that temporarily lift the moods of his companions. This tragic scenario is personified in the struggles of Sylvia Weis, the estranged daughter of the enigmatic Mayor of the United States, Tamara Weis. Sylvia longs to break free from the confines of her privileged upbringing, to experience life beyond the sheltered walls of her opulent world. The weight of responsibility compounded with the suffocating mantle of her esteemed lineage only exacerbate her emotional turmoil. One fateful night, when a life hangs precariously in balance, Sylvia stumbles upon a Timekeeper's possession, an individual who 'banks' the excess time accrued by others and replenishes it for subsequent sale. She inadvertently causes her accuser to 'bleed out', and her richly gifted time spills over into Will's own veins. This turn of events fundamentally alters Will's understanding of the world and forces him into the unenviable position of an outlaw, hunted by the Timekeepers. The Timekeepers, as their ominous moniker suggests, serve as the harbingers of modern morality - judges, law enforcers, and brutal disciplinarians - who impose their dictate upon the guilty with an economy of ruthless efficiency. These anti-heroes are led by Philippe Nataf, the highly acclaimed and sought-after member of society who found solace in creating this grand financial model. Led by Philippe Nataf, the Timekeepers display their martial prowess and, with an arsenal of advanced firearms, single out their prey with targeted precision. An outlandish array of chaos erupts as Will - struggling with a greatly increased lifespan - flits briefly and recklessly through society. Perplexed, bewildered and overwhelmed by his rapidly accelerating perspective his life flashes before his very eyes. As the stakes grow ever higher, Will, driven to safety by unwavering desperation, eventually befriends Sylvia. A twisted bond develops as each person reorient their personalities towards new means of evading society's dehumanizing pursuit of time. This association provides a sense of hope - a sentiment they could no longer relate to before the tumultuous intersection of their lives. In a farcical display of courage and ingenuity, Will convinces Sylvia to join forces with him as an outcast in their existential turmoil. Without a viable safety net or social leverage, they combine forces determined to expose the deep entanglements surrounding their world's economics while also making profound investments in free will, morality and individual human dignity. The end result evolves, initially to Will's great uncertainty - either allowing him to survive, creating unstructured liberation, bringing him face to face with the social realities of his surroundings, confronting him with profound doubts, transforming time from currency into a dimension of life itself, and opening new depths in time not previously considered - making for striking commentary, beautiful and thrilling storytelling that expands human values in a way few other young artists ever could.