The Final Moments Of Karl Brant On DUST Starring Paul Reubens A Murder Mystery Where the Dead Come Back Digitally

Photo courtesy of Singularity Hub.

Starring Paul Reubens, Janina Gavankar, Peter Chekvala, and Jon Sklaroff this little indie gem from 2013 has all you could ask for in a sci-fi murder mystery that’s under 20 minutes long.

It starts at the home of Karl Brant, a scientist working to perfect an apparatus that will allow people to physically download (by way of a plug that connects the device straight into their brainstem) the entire contents of their brain (memories, thoughts, emotions, etc) into it, then store the information in a format where they can create and then interact with a digital version of themselves.

Several people are brought in and interviewed by local law enforcement about the murder, including Bennett Ferryman, Karl’s partner and co-inventor of the device, to no avail until Bennett suggests firing up the apparatus to see if Karl’s final moments were recorded on it. Luckily they were and based on the data collected police were able to apprehend the culprits quickly but the whole process creates a few ethical questions to sort through, especially when it becomes obvious that Karl’s digital brain matter has become self-aware and is now blurring the line between being alive and being a really complex zip file. Karl isn’t exactly happy about being dead, but things get really exciting when someone decides to turn him off.

Fun and interesting sci-fi short with good acting (Paul and Peter were really good, great dynamics), a solid storyline, and an inventive original music score that keeps everything moving along. Definitely recommend giving this a go.

Bonus points for the title.

The short can be seen here

Written and Directed by M.F. Wilson

Produced by Scott M. Davids Neil Ellice M.F. Wilson

Cutlass/LEVEL 256 Production