Teknolust

2002 Sci Fi

In this offbeat sci-fi-drama, Rosetta Stone (Tilda Swinton) is a scientist specializing in biogenetics who has made a major breakthrough in artificial biological engineering. Rosetta has created a type of Self-Replicating Automaton, which looks like a human being, but is in fact part machine and part living organism. In order to survive and reproduce, Rosetta discovers her SRAs need certain human genetic compounds that are found only in male semen. Hoping to kill two birds with one stone, Rosetta programs one of her SRAs, Ruby (also played by Swinton) to seduce men Rosetta has found through a website offering paid "fantasy dates," which will provide both needed materials and ready cash. Ruby brings back used condoms, and shares the contents with her fellow SRAs Marine and Olive (both also played by Swinton). However, after their assignations with Ruby, the men find themselves with a strange illness that leaves them with skin outbreaks and the inability to perform sexually. Two health investigators (James Urbaniak and Karen Black) begin interviewing the men infected, which sends them on a trail leading back to Rosetta and her research lab. Meanwhile, the more Ruby comes in contact with humans, the more she finds herself falling under the sway of human emotions, and she finds herself falling in love with Sandy (Jeremy Davies), a shy man working at a photocopying center. Shot on digital video equipment by acclaimed cinematographer Hiro Narita, Teknolust was screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. more..

Director: Lynn Hershman-Leeson

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Jeremy Davies, James Urbaniak, Karen Black, Al Nazemian

Reviews

  • Sci-fi has rarely been so playful.

    Edward Guthmann - The San Francisco Chronicle

    27 April 2013

  • A quiet tour de force for Tilda Swinton, who plays researcher Rosetta Stone and her feisty but fragile alter egos.

    Laura Sinagra - Village Voice

    27 April 2013

  • A minor addition to the tiny genre of feminist science fiction films

    Dave Kehr - The New York Times

    27 April 2013

  • While it's stylishly designed and shot in startling colors on digital high-definition cameras, this feels like yesterday's futuristic news, and it's more likely to surface as a video/DVD curiosity than a theatrical draw.

    David Rooney - Variety

    27 April 2013

  • The film's shortcomings notwithstanding, it's a must-see for Swinton fans, who can select a favorite among four different variations of their idol or simply adore them all.

    Maitland McDonagh - TV Guide

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Film

    Fantasporto (2004)

     
  • Lynn Hershman-Leeson

    Hamptons International Film Festival (2002)