The Edinburgh International University Film Festival (EIUFF) 2025 took place between the 31st of May and the 2nd of June. EIUFF is a student film festival. Find them @edi.iuff on Instagram.
Anchorage – dir. Oliver Bridges –★★★★★
he Edinburgh International University Film Festival (EIUFF) 2025 took place between the 31st of May and the 2nd of June. EIUFF is a student film festival. Find them @edi.iuff on Instagram.
This film was my standout favourite at the Edinburgh International University Film Festival. One may be tempted to compare it with certain episodes of the popular Si-Fi television series Black Mirror. Both works deal with the introduction of new technology in a modern setting and emphasise its impact on our personal relationships. However, Anchorage surpasses Black Mirror in a variety of ways, fitting a number of powerful moments into its 30-minute run time. The film centres on Rufus, a young man who uses a “deep fake” website to talk to an AI generated version of his late mother. Initially, Rufus’ actions can be viewed as obsessive and an unhealthy coping mechanism. As he feeds the algorithm more extensive information about his mother through old videos and photos, he grows frustrated by the AI’s inability to replicate her perfectly. Yet, through conversing with his “mother”, he is now able to vent long suppressed emotions, including those he can’t express directly to his family. Poignantly, this also extends to feelings he didn’t share with his mother when she was alive. As someone who, personally, despises all things AI, this film made me realise some of the ways this technology can impact our personal lives positively. The picture delivers a new exploration into the grieving process and how to deal with grief. In doing so, it allows the main character a successful outlet for emotional catharsis. All of this is made possible through an incredibly strong performance by Jamie Patterson, impressive in his delivery of several lengthy monologues without a conventional scene partner. Katherine James, who provides the voice and image of the AI model while only in the film briefly, shines in one of its most emotional moments. Anchorage is a well-acted, skilfully shot drama with a sci-fi edge. It masterfully blends the discussion around emerging technology with compelling interpersonal drama.
Happy Wife – dir.Grace Strommatt – ★★★★☆
Happy Wife is a slick, sci-fi dramedy with a retro-futuristic twist. The film centres on Joanna, a housewife who, after an embarrassing incident at a New Year’s party, has a microchip placed in her eye that will serve to regulate her behaviours. The chip stops her from drinking too much, makes her eat a healthier diet, and even chooses her make up. All of this is excellently acted by leading woman, Georgia Bridgers, who depicts herself as being physically “pulled” away from certain things by the chip, seemingly possessing her when activated. As any frequent sci-fi viewer could probably guess, however, this technology is revealed to have a darker side that leaves Joanna at the mercy of her abusive husband. The film’s aesthetic is reminiscent of earlier movies such as Don’t Worry Darling or, more recently, Companion. Another similarity is how it depicts new technology being used to take advantage of women in more traditional ways. The picture deliberately embraces a kind of 1960s suburban style. Despite the new gadgets, the social attitudes underlying the film’s conflict remain rooted in the past. It manages to balance a lot of heavy themes, so it is natural that black humour would be inserted to provide some levity. This can be seen towards the film’s conclusion which, whilst serving as an excellent payoff to an earlier set up, could leave some viewers with tonal whiplash. This is not due to the ending section itself, but rather it is placed immediately after the film’s darkest scene. Whilst it is an effective conclusion, its comedic presentation takes some of the sting out of what could have been a very impactful moment. I will not spoil how the film ends (as I believe you should seek it out for yourself), however, I will say earlier foreshadowing in one particular conversation is less than subtle. Overall, Happy Wife is an excellently presented, compact sci-fi drama well worthy of a watch.
Image provided by the Edinburgh International University Film Festival.