Indie film about an AI startup founder and family feels less like sci-fi now

Making sense of a changing era

As major technology companies pursued generative AI and Twitter became X under Elon Musk in 2023, New York filmmakers James Hyland and Myles Flusser began shaping a story about technology and human connection. Hyland, 25, said the project drew on their experiences and the world around them.

The pair wrote, directed, and produced “Anna by the Window” with friends through their production company, Baggysuit. The coming-of-age film explores grief and the ways technology can get in the way of human relationships.

AI meets traditional filmmaking

They also used ElevenLabs AI audio software to create the voice of the brothers’ father. In another scene, they pushed a ChatGPT chatbot toward hallucination and used the resulting audio. Hyland said the chatbot began producing errors and speaking different languages.

Personal grief and fictional character

The film draws on its creators’ lives as well as invention. Flusser said his brother had recently died, and that a pivotal scene between the brothers was closely recreated from his own experience.

Hyland plays James, whose fictional portrayal as delusional and in denial does not reflect Flusser’s real brother. Hyland described the character as seeking closure and connection through AI, making him sympathetic in his view.

From sci-fi to screenings

The filmmakers said their view of AI shifted while they made the movie: they began more intrigued and ended more cynical. Flusser said the project initially seemed like speculative science fiction, but later no longer felt that way.

The crew began screening the film in New York City and the Hudson Valley during the summer. Los Angeles screenings were planned for November, and the film becomes available on the streaming platform Dolph beginning December 15.