World of Tomorrow

In "The World of Tomorrow," director Don Hertzfeldt weaves a poignant and visually stunning narrative that delves into the complexities of time, identity, and the human condition. The film is presented as a series of vignettes, each offering a glimpse into the life of Emily, a precocious young girl who finds herself transported to various points in her future. The story begins in the present day, with Emily as a wide-eyed, curious child who possesses an uncanny understanding of the world around her. As she explores her surroundings, we catch glimpses of her fascination with the future, reflected in her fixation on a vintage advertisement for a futuristic theme park called "The Tomorrowland" - a name that would later become an integral part of her reality. Emily's journey through the world of tomorrow is facilitated by her great-great-granddaughter, who appears in the guise of a diminutive, robotic being that serves as Emily's tour guide. This futuristic entity, which Emily affectionately nicknames "Little Girl," is tasked with escorting Emily through the various epochs of her life, providing insight into the trajectory of human society and the profound changes that it will undergo. As Emily and Little Girl traverse the world of tomorrow, they encounter a landscape both wondrous and unsettling. They visit a sprawling metropolis, where towering skyscrapers pierce the sky and humanoid robots have been integrated into everyday life. They witness the rise of a powerful, artificial intelligence that threatens the very existence of humanity, forcing the inhabitants of the world to make impossible choices and confront their own mortality. One of the most striking aspects of "The World of Tomorrow" is its unflinching examination of the consequences of human innovation. Hertzfeldt explores the tensions between technological progress and the degradation of humanity, painting a picture of a world in which the boundaries between progress and stagnation have become increasingly blurred. Throughout the film, Emily's encounters with various members of her extended family serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of loss. Her interactions with her great-great-granddaughter, who struggles with the burden of her own identity and the weight of her family's legacy, add an emotional resonance to the narrative, underscoring the importance of human connections in the face of an ever-changing world. As Emily's journey through time comes full circle, she is forced to confront the reality of her own mortality and the legacy that she will leave behind. In a series of haunting and poignant vignettes, Hertzfeldt depicts the various paths that Emily's life may take, each one reflecting the infinite possibilities that lie ahead. Ultimately, "The World of Tomorrow" presents a vision of a world in which the boundaries between past, present, and future have become increasingly fluid. By exploring the intersections of memory, identity, and technology, Hertzfeldt creates a poignant and thought-provoking narrative that encourages the viewer to reflect upon their own place within the world and the legacy that they will leave behind. In the end, "The World of Tomorrow" stands as a testament to the power of animation as a medium for storytelling and a tribute to the boundless potential of the human imagination. By merging the fantastical with the mundane, Hertzfeldt creates a film that is both deeply personal and profoundly universal, offering a glimpse into a future that is at once thrilling and terrifying.