The Hummingbird Project

The Hummingbird Project, directed by Kim Nguyen, is a 2018 Canadian heist comedy-drama film. The story revolves around two brilliant but unorthodox high-frequency traders, Brie (Jesse Eisenberg) and Vincent (Alexander Skarsgård), who have an extraordinary idea to build a high-risk plan to profit from a cutting-edge technology. This technology involves using a novel fiber-optic cable that runs from Kansas to New Jersey, allowing data to travel at speeds of up to 70% faster than before, potentially providing a significant advantage in financial markets. After parting ways with their former mentor, Evan (Michael Mando), Vincent and Brie decide to go head-to-head in the financial world. Their plan is built on exploiting the early arrival of this new fiber-optic cable, which they believe will disrupt markets and create lucrative opportunities for high-frequency traders. They envision a way to bypass traditional trading routes and establish their operation close to the source, thus gaining the first-mover advantage in exploiting the fast data transmission. With their plan, they aim to amass millions of dollars by trading on these fractions-of-a-second discrepancies. Vincent and Brie recruit a group of unorthodox and brilliant individuals, each with unique skills to aid them in their high-pressure task. One such key hire includes Marvin (Mark Rylance), a genius engineer. They face numerous obstacles in executing their plan, not only because the technology is cutting-edge but also because they must navigate through complex networks and deal with the risk of being caught by the financial authorities and competitors. As they move forward with their plan, a third major character enters the scene, a man with an uncanny ability to grasp the intricacies of their strategy. This enigmatic figure, played by Salma Hayek as Eva, adds complexity to their mission and raises questions about trust, loyalty, and the moral boundaries they are willing to cross in pursuit of their goal. Meanwhile, their former boss, Evan, learns of their plan and is eager to catch up with them. The competition becomes intense as all parties involved engage in a high-stakes game. Vincent and Brie, along with their team, face immense pressure as they navigate their plan, while trying to evade detection. Their actions take them through various financial districts in both the United States and Canada. In the final stage of the movie, tensions reach a boiling point as their adversaries make increasingly desperate attempts to thwart their operation. Ultimately, Vincent and Brie face a choice: to risk everything and reap the rewards of their high-risk plan or to step back and reassess the consequences of their actions. The film raises questions about the nature of high-frequency trading, which raises concerns about fairness, integrity, and access in the financial world. By depicting the actions of characters with a strong focus on intellect, the movie shines a light on both the benefits and pitfalls of exploiting the latest technology in a global market that's increasingly driven by advanced trading methods.