The Day Today

Edouard and Suzanne Mouradian often babysit their grandchildren. Grandad plays violent computer games and we see him entrust his frustrations – that often end in violent fantasies and thoughts of genocide – to the PC in writing. The first half of Au jour d’aujourd’hui, set in 2013, includes lots of screens, ranging from mobile phones to tablets. This fascination with modern technology returns in the second part that is set in 2024. Edouard has died and the 88-year-old Suzanne misses him deeply. A company specialising in deep-fake technology can however bring the dead back using ‘swapping’. When Suzanne has Edouard brought back, he proves not entirely himself. Although Au jour d’aujourd’hui is partly science fiction, Maxence Stamatiadis’ debut is essentially about a recognisable theme. Suzanne is dissatisfied with Edouard’s resurrection, but “it’s better than nothing”. Just like photographs and videos of the dead are better than nothing. (International Film Festival Rotterdam)