Arlo Alone
NARRATIVE | 15 – 20 MIN. | EVERYDAY LIFE, SOCIAL & POLITICAL DIVISIONS
Arlo comes to terms with her own loneliness in a world where in-person contact has become a rarity.
But What Does It Mean?
EXPLORE THE FILM'S MEANING →
Even when we feel that we have a sense of a film’s meaning, there is often more to uncover.
Watch this video to better understand the film and why we selected it for the festival.
CLICK TO EXPLORE THE FILM'S THEMES
Write your user manual for social interaction. If there was an AI-system managing your welfare, what would you like it to know about your needs for social engagement? How often do you require social interaction and by what means – IRL or digital interface? How much interaction do you want with strangers vs. current network of friends and family? How much alone time works for you?
Meet the Filmmaker
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
Nicole Dorsey has worked extensively as a commercial and narrative film director. Her debut feature, BLACK CONFLUX (2019), held its world premiere at The Toronto International Film Festival and was selected as Canada’s Top Ten Films of 2019. The Hollywood Reporter called it “…a constant visual delight…a smart rebuke to the misogynistic mechanics of thriller convention.” The film took part in the WIDC Story Program and was a finalist in Francis Ford Coppola’s Screenplay Contest. Dorsey also directed ARLO ALONE (2016) through Canadian broadcaster Bell Media; the short premiered in competition at the Atlanta Film Festival and was a Vimeo Staff Pick and A&E Best Film Winner. With a strong penchant for character-driven material, Dorsey aims to present a realist portrayal of the human condition in whichever medium she is directing.
WHY THEY MADE THE FILM
“When Katrina and I first discussed collaborating, her as writer and me to direct, she mentioned a concept she’d been toying with: ‘a glimpse into the future deterioration of in-person contact.’ I was immediately hooked. What could be more prevalent? We live in a world connected through wireless communication. We chat through text messages. We have business meetings through Skype. We’re stuck to our devices. I see it all the time when I’m on a bus or train. So, if this is now, what will the future look like? I love how Arlo Alone explores modernized methods of communication through the experience of one woman. It keeps it personal while tapping into the universal feeling of loneliness and the human need for love. With an unfortunate amount of online dating experiences on my side, I can testify that these disconnected meetings often make you feel more lonely than connected. We need to talk to one another face to face. Nothing can replace the sensation that occurs when you’re in someone’s presence. This film is a testament to that.”
Your Turn: What did YOU think of this film?
11 Comments
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UnLonely Film Fest 4
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ABOUT THE UNLONELY PROJECT
The UnLonely Project broadens public awareness of the negative physical and mental health consequences of loneliness while also promoting creative arts-based approaches to reduce the burden. Click here for mental health resources.
Very timely and thought-provoking!
How timely in this confinement period from COVID-19. It could have been made just for this period extrapolating what our future could look like if we’re stuck for a much longer period of time!!?? Depressing and unnerving to imagine ourselves cut out so drastically from others…but how beautiful to see that human contact will will itself closer to a social life. In few days it will be 90 days of coronavirus confinement with the occasional groceries outings and few necessary errands… I can’t wait to resume some normalcy of life!!! TY
I thought this film did a great job at getting the audience to see and appreciate the little things in life. That we take for granted all too often.
What an apropos film for our uncertain times! Bravely overcoming obstacles & relying on humanity. I am grateful!
I enjoyed it. Sad to think this could be a way of life. In my mind I would have done the exact same thing. Isolation is wrong, we as humans thrive when we are around others and die when we are not.
what an interesting and unsettling film – reminds me a little of some futuristic block busters but hits far closer to home during this global pandemic. it does seem some days like we’re waiting for some bot to tell us what the pandemic index is and if it’s ok to go outside.
Reminds us to appreciate the small things in life like a lemon, a handshake. So fitting during these pandemic times.
I really liked it. Very timely and appropriate. It made me think a lot about the importance of touch, and that even a handshake can meet that need. Also that real food, like lemons and honey, are critical to keeping us connected to nature and good health. Pills aren’t enough.
Beautifully shot/acted; very relevant to our times.
Beyond the above comments, I suppose my greatest sense and take-away from the film is the feeling of my spirit being filled with encouragement and hope; something so desparately needed by everyone, “en mass” it seems, during these most recent and difficult months of the pandemic.
This year I’ll be 78..before COVID..I was very active…I got to be of service…this film speaks to how life is for me now..these times accelerated the aging process..I thought (if I got to life to 85) then I would be more isolated..elders in this society are put away in some facility..I’ve lived alone for many years..for the most part I’ve been content..now..it’s far harder to maintain resilence..