Good science fiction storytelling will leave you with more questions then it will answers….
On this episode we report in from the Fantasia International Film Festival which runs until August 3rd in Montreal. It’s arguably the premiere genre (Horror, Sci-Fi, World) film festival in the entire world and today we have the unique pleasure of diving into something that just had it’s World Premiere screening last night. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you ‘The Artifice Girl’.
When an internet vigilante develops a revolutionary new computer program to combat online predators, its rapid advancement leads to serious questions of autonomy, oppression, and what it really means to be human.
This is a genuinely thought provoking and genius piece of low-fi science fiction that will have audiences talking long after they see the film. It’s our favorite kind of science-fiction as a matter of fact because it gets the grey matter firing on some real world issues that are happening out there today and it shows the filmmaking world that Franklin Ritch just might be a force to be reckoned with the in the worlds of storytelling
In advance of the premiere we had the unique pleasure of sitting down with writer/director and star Franklin Ritch to discuss the origins of the film, the themes behind it, how he got his cast together and so very much more….
David Voigt is a Toronto based writer with a problem and a passion for the moving image and all things cinema. Having moved from production to the critical side of the aisle for well over 15 years now at outlets like Examiner.com, Criticize This, Dork Shelf (Now That Shelf), and to.Night Newspaper.
He’s been all across the continent; serving on the FIPRESCI Jury at the Festival Du Nouveau Cinema in Montreal, covering festivals out side of Toronto like Calgary Underground Film Festival, CUFF Docs, Slamdance, Fantasia, SXSW, DOC NYC, Santa Barbara Film Festival, New York Asian Film Festival and many others
However, In the uncertain world of modern film journalism, David also knew that he needed to have a hand in writing and cementing his own contributions on the global film scene.
Having eclipsed the 10 year anniversary of his own outlet, In The Seats, where he’s been striving to support film (and TV) from all walks of life and his podcast “In The Seats With…” where after 5 & ½ years and over 750 episodes he’s talked with a wide variety of filmmakers, actors, behind the scenes artisans and so much more on the art of storytelling for the screen, which is spawning the launch of a new show in the Spring of 2026. “ITS: Soundtracks” will focus on the use of soundtrack and score in film which he believes is a combination that is the cinematic equivalent of Peanut Butter and Chocolate.
All this as well as hosting and moderating a variety of big screen events around the city, covering film in all its forms is just a way of life for him.
