Experiencing Interruptions?

Coldline

USSR Chairman, Nikita Khrushchev, calls the Washington-Moscow Hotline in order to get ahold of the US President, to warn of a Nuclear Warhead headed towards New York City, gone rogue due to a "technical failure". Problems continue to arise when Nikita encounters difficulties whilst navigating through the convoluted call menu. Frustration turns to madness as minutes continue to pass with no sign of ever reaching the President.

  • Matthew Johnston
    Director
  • Matthew Johnston
    Writer
  • Adam Pype
    Writer
  • Matthew Johnston
    Producer
  • Murray Keane
    Key Cast
    "Nikita Khrushchev "
    Braindead
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Thriller, Drama
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 2 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 31, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    600 NZD
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    5:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - South Seas Film School
Director Biography - Matthew Johnston

Matthew Johnston, 19, is from Auckland, New Zealand, having graduated from South Seas Film School in 2024 with a Diploma in Level 5 Film & Content Creation.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film explores the dangers of technology and artificial intelligence in their ever-increasing involvement in critical decisions and situations that affect millions of people worldwide.

I, as well as millions more have encountered difficulties with technology in one way or another, and after playing the game, "Coldline" by Adam Pype, I was inspired to adapt it into a screenplay, and direct it for my final project of film school; my goal was to shine a light on the serious possibility of such a bizarre scenario really happening, as A.I. continues to be implemented more and more and with higher-priority given. With an endless amount of possible complications that could arise with machines and computers, now more than ever should humans be in control.

"A computer can never be held accountable, therefore a computer must never make a management decision", is a quote from a 1979 IBM training manual, something that resonates all the more prevalent and true today.

While watching this film, I wanted the audience to laugh at the sheer madness of the situation, but to understand the serious possibility of it occurring, and to ultimately spread awareness of the crisis that we are facing.