World of Tomorrow

World of Tomorrow is a thought-provoking 2015 animated short film directed by the acclaimed independent animator, Don Hertzfeldt. This compelling science fiction satire features the voices of Julia Pott, Winona Mae and Sara Cushman.

The film starts by establishing its narrative premise - a young girl named Emily (voiced by Winona Mae). Emily is an innocent, bright-eyed child who encounters a startlingly different version of herself when a time-traveling clone from the distant future (voiced by Julia Pott) pays her a visit. This clone, referred to as Emily Prime, introduces little Emily to various facets of a highly advanced, technologically-reliant world many millennia in the future.

The story is ingeniously rendered, being an expansive treatise on memory, art, love, mortality, the nature of self, the role of technology in our lives, and the potential future of humanity. Emily Prime takes Emily on a memorable, almost dystopian journey rich with psychological insights and emotional depth, providing viewers with a series of poignant moments that echo long after the film ends.

One of the notable aspects of World of Tomorrow is its compelling visual style. Distinctly minimalist yet evocatively expressive, Hertzfeldt's animation tickles the imagination and stirs the heart. Filled with compellingly simplistic, stick figure-like characters residing in abstract landscapes, World of Tomorrow's visual lore goes hand in hand with its narratively potent ethos – a seemingly child-like presentation masks a deep, mature philosophical insight.

The film's palette is steeped in saturated, neon-inflected colors that juxtapose bleakly dystopian thematic content with vividly vibrant artworks. The strange and occasionally unsettling visuals are comprehensive enough to make the viewer feel both engaged and constantly aware of the grand yet inharmonious future universe that the characters inhabit.

Another aspect that makes World of Tomorrow such an engaging film is its dialogue. It uses the innocent questions of its young protagonist as a rhetorical vehicle to probe deep philosophical questions. This is amplified by the dry, monotone delivery of the time-traveling clone, which creates a stark contrast with the enthusiastic, naive speech of the young Emily. Their interactions are as engaging as they are heartbreaking, offering viewers plenty to ponder about the future of human connections and emotions in an increasingly digital era.

Throughout this fascinating trip to the future, Hertzfeldt poses questions about the nature of memory, the persistence of love across time, and the essence of being human in an increasingly dehumanized world. The humor is unique - often surprisingly funny given the film's often-dark subject matter, offering light-hearted moments and comic relief amidst profound pondering.

World of Tomorrow isn’t afraid to explore themes that can be uncomfortable, such as death, purposelessness, loneliness or the potential loss of humanity to unregulated technological advancement. However, in its essence, it maintains a hopeful attitude. What truly sets this movie apart is its ability to inspire viewers to reflect on their existence, the importance of their memories, and the imminence of a future guided by our actions in the present.

World of Tomorrow fears no complexity, artfully blending melancholy and wit, existential despair and optomism, complex philosophy and innocent curiosity - all under the span of a 16-minute short. Its proclivity to induce thought makes it an important piece of filmmaking, essential viewing for those intrigued by avant-garde animation and the untapped depths of self-reflection it can provoke.

While short, World of Tomorrow is potent, impactful, and intense in its bold exploration of humanity's potential future. It's an integral addition to the repertoire of science fiction cinema, but it also extends beyond genres - it's a reflective meditation that encourages viewers to contemplate their mortality, memories and the significance of the fleeting moments spent in the world of the present. This beautifully concocted paradox makes World of Tomorrow a narrative masterpiece, compelling viewers to return to its universe time and time again - each revisit offering a new layer of introspection and revelation.