Dealing with isolation

Dealing with isolation

Devorah Porter responds to a question during the panel after the viewing of the 2001 Japanese techno-horror film “Pulse” in the Multicultural Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 27, 2023. Photo by Rachael Rosenberg

Pierce College Film Club presented their first-semester screening as part of the “AIsolation Film Series” at the Multicultural Center on Thursday.

The 2001 Japanese techno-horror film “Pulse” is about ghosts invading the world of the living through the internet.

After the film screening, a panel consisting of Film Club members, Cinema professor Ken Windrum and Multimedia and Journalism professor Jeff Favre held a discussion and shared their thoughts about the film.

Favre wanted to know from audience members if they were satisfied with the end of the film,  or how they wished it could have ended.

Windrum explained that many movies from the‘90s dealt with loneliness, and this film follows that same theme.

Film major Devora Porter shared  her take on the significance of the film.

“The film is a very relevant look at how the internet can be such a powerful tool that can both bring us together and divide us,” Porter said. “It may feel like a human connection when we’re using it and utilizing it. But ultimately, it’s something that we have to experience by ourselves, and that can really negatively affect people who are going through several mental health issues.”

Windrum shared his thoughts on why the Film Club decided to screen this film.

“Well, it’s part of that series, I don’t create the series, the film club comes up with the ideas,” Windrum said. “But the idea of looking at isolation and how the internet and AI  can create an isolated world is great because these are things I’m sure everybody here has thought about at some point, especially during COVID. So, I like to do this because it gets people talking about important stuff, and gets them to watch good movies too.”

Media Arts Professor Jeff Favre express his thoughts on the film

“I was so glad that they did this film and this entire theme on isolation because I think a lot of students are feeling more lonely, especially since COVID,” Favre said. “I thought this film really brought home that feeling of being alone and what that can be like and I thought it was kind of ironic that a lot of students were actually able to gather together to talk about loneliness.”