Guy Pearce on searching for humanity with new film: ‘The evolution of technology is both fascinating and disturbing’
It’s not every day you find yourself getting existential with a film star – but as Guy Pearce’s new film is set in a futuristic world where life-like droids can’t be discerned from real people, it’s got him questioning what it is to be human.
In Zone 414, the actor plays David Carmichael, an ex-police officer tasked with finding the kidnapped daughter of the man who creates the world’s AI machines.
In order to find the missing girl, his character must befriend one of the look-alike robots, forcing him to reflect on what’s real, and what’s programming.
The film also stars Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz
Pearce, best known for films including Memento and LA Confidential – as well as his rise to fame in Australian soap Neighbours – told Sky News it’s a question we may need to ask ourselves as real-world tech gets smarter.
“The whole evolution of technology and where we’re heading and this rapid desire for very smart people out there who invent technology to create versions of ourselves is really kind of fascinating and disturbing at the same time,” he said.
“And the idea that will those robots, will those androids, become more human or more human than us, or will they become human at all? You know, that’s fascinating as well.”
The actor says he has been asking himself some fundamental questions.
“Where does humanity really come from? Where does it sit? Is it only injected into us as human beings or is there just as much humanity in a chicken, but just because it doesn’t speak we don’t know and could it therefore be implanted into a robot?
“That whole idea about our identity and psychology in this kind of setting was really fascinating.”
Despite grappling with the issues around developments in AI, Pearce said the technology is not something he is familiar with.
However, the star suspects he’ll end up learning from the next generation.
‘That whole idea about our identity and psychology in this kind of setting was really fascinating’
“If Siri accidentally comes on, I’m immediately going, ‘no, off, I don’t need your help, go away!’
“I’m not so much a Luddite, but just an oldie I guess – it’s interesting having Monty, my little boy. He’s only five, so he’s not really aware of what’s possible on a screen yet, but certainly you see him being drawn to it. And I know there will clearly come a point, probably very quickly, where he’s way ahead of me.”
Pearce’s character in Zone 414 is a man of few words. He says he prefers to portray what’s going on through his physicality.
“I’m eliminating dialogue all the time if I can,” he said. “I’ve got to be careful not to fall into the pattern of just turning every character into a silent communicator, because that’s not right for every character – some people are just naturally much more verbose.
“But in this case we understand later the baggage that he’s bringing with him and that on some level he’s shutting down as a human being – he’s just doing what’s necessary to survive… there’s something in that that I find kind of sympathetic and sad, noble or frustrating as well.”
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Earlier this year, Pearce played a love interest for Kate Winslet’s Mare in the hugely popular small-town US crime drama Mare Of Easttown.
As an old friend of the Oscar-winner, he came on to the project late after another actor dropped out – and admitted it still seems strange that he was in it at all.
“They had been shooting for some months anyway by the time I came in, funnily enough. I did one day on 12 March of last year and we shut down [due to the pandemic],” he said.
“And I really only had about seven or eight days work, so that in the end took about six months because we didn’t go back until September of last year to finish off my stuff, and so in a weird way I feel slightly disconnected from the show because it was such a brief time – but I also feel very connected to the show because of my connection with Kate.”
Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce star in Mare Of Easttown. Pic: Sky UK/HBO
Pearce, who was born in Cambridgeshire but grew up in Australia, says he was “wrapped” when Winslet, Evan Peters and Julianne Nicholson won Emmys for their roles in the series.
“I was very, very happy for the show but it was funny too watching the show because my story is kind of really separate from everything else in Mare’s life,” he said. “I was really just there, I guess, to sort of remind Mare that she can have love in her life as well as work really hard.
“So it was funny watching the show because I just felt like I was a fan watching, you know, like anybody else can: Oh, and there’s me – oh that’s right, I forgot I did this.”
Zone 414 is available on digital download from 4 October
Taylor Swift has given a “friendly but extremely important reminder” to her American fans to vote in the presidential election.
The neck-and-neck race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – which is believed to be the closest since 2000 – has seen US stars throw their weight behind both candidates.
It had been widely speculated that Swift would appear at Ms Harris’s final rally in Pennsylvania – where the 34-year-old singer grew up.
However, the Shake It Off singer was at Arrowhead Stadium to support her boyfriend – NFL star Travis Kelce – who was playing for the Kansas City Chiefs in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
US election latest: Voting begins for millions of Americans
Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga were the big names alongside Ms Harris at her final big event.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Swift’s election reminder came in a post she shared on the eve of polling night, celebrating the wrap of the US leg of her Eras Tour, and sharing images from her last three gigs.
In the Instagram post, the singer wrote: “Thank you to everyone who came out to see us on our last three American shows.
“And here’s a friendly but extremely important reminder that tomorrow is the US election and your last chance to vote.”
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She will pick up her tour in Canada next week, with six shows in Toronto and three in Vancouver.
Her record-breaking shows – which have boosted the economy around the globe – will wrap on 8 December.
Swift publicly confirmed her support for Ms Harris in September, sharing the message on social media: “I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”
At the time, Swift also shared links to information on how to register to vote and find out early voting dates, reminding voters: “Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make”.
Shared with a photo of the star cuddling one of her beloved cats, she signed off her post “Childless Cat Lady,” in a nod to Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance’s now infamous 2021 remarks.
Entertainment
Quincy Jones: Oprah Winfrey, Elton John and Barack Obama among famous figures paying tribute to music legend
Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John and Barack Obama among the famous figures who have paid tribute to Quincy Jones following his death at the age of 91.
Following the announcement of his death on Monday, a string of friends, collaborators and admirers have been speaking out to praise the music producer and composer.
TV host Oprah Winfrey said her life “changed forever for the better” after meeting Jones as he helped secure her role in the 1985 film adaptation of The Colour Purple, which earned her an Oscar nomination.
Jones, the jazz musician known for collaborating with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, wrote the film score and also co-produced the film.
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Quincy Jones dies aged 91
Winfrey wrote on Instagram: “My beloved Q. The world’s beloved Q. The one and only Quincy Jones ‘discovered’ me for The Color Purple movie in 1985. My life changed forever for the better after meeting him.
“I had never experienced, nor have since, anyone who’s heart was so filled with love.
“He walked around with his heart wide open, and he treated everybody as if they were the most important person he’d ever met. He was the Light. No shadows.
“He was love lived out loud in human form and he was the first person I ever loved unconditionally.”
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10 things about Quincy Jones
Whoopi Goldberg, who was also in The Colour Purple, also wrote on Instagram: “I was lucky enough to have him in my life for all these years.
“My heart is breaking for his friends and his extended family who loved and adored him… my condolences.”
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Quincy Jones’s best-known collaborations
Former US president Barack Obama, who honoured Jones with the US National Medal of Arts in 2010, said: “For decades, Quincy Jones was music.
“From producing Thriller, to composing the score for The Color Purple, to working with Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles, it seemed like every big record – and every big film – had Quincy’s name on it.
“His music appealed to listeners of every race and every age. And by building a career that took him from the streets of Chicago to the heights of Hollywood, Quincy paved the way for generations of Black executives to leave their mark on the entertainment business.”
Barack Obama honoured Quincy Jones with the US National Medal of Arts in 2010. Pic: Reuters
He added: “Michelle and I send our thoughts to Quincy’s friends, family, and everyone who has lived their lives to his songs.”
Sir Elton John remembered Jones as someone who had a more “incredible” career in music than anyone else.
He shared a photo with him at the Elton John Aids Foundation Oscar viewing party, and called him a “loyal supporter of this important fundraiser”.
The singer added: “Nobody had a career as incredible as Quincy Jones. He played with the best and he produced the best. What a guy. Loved him.”
Rapper Ice T hailed Jones as a “genius”, while US Grammy-winner Lenny Kravitz said he was “speechless”, but added: “What a life. What an expression of authenticity. What a teacher. I am humbled that I was given the gift of your openness and friendship”.
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Singers react to death of ‘hero’ Quincy Jones
Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland thanked Jones for being “such a wonderful teacher” and creating the soundtrack to “some of the most extraordinary moments” in her life.
Jones also helped to launch and was an executive producer on the popular US sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, starring Will Smith.
Jones with his daughter, actress Rashida Jones, and Will Smith in 2007. Pic: Reuters
Smith said: “Quincy Jones is the true definition of a mentor, a father and a friend. He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me.
“He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”
Chic co-founder Nile Rodgers, who was friends with Jones, shared a video that said “Rest In Power Quincy Jones. The Greatest of All Time”.
Peter Hook, the bassist and co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, wrote on social media: “It’s so sad to hear about Quincy Jones. When he signed us to his label, he made us feel so welcome – inviting us to dinner at his home every time we were in town.
“He made us big in America. He was so humble & sweet that you immediately fell in love with him.”
Hook added: “And to this day I still got a lovely message from him every year on Christmas and birthday cards! A musical genius and a great, lovely man.”
Amy Dowden will not take part in the rest of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The professional dancer made a return to the celebrity contest this series after undergoing treatment for breast cancer and had been partnered with JLS star JB Gill.
However, the 34-year-old has now had to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury.
In a statement on Instagram, she said: “I’m so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short.
“My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury.”
Dowden added: “I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and I’ll be soon better and back dancing. Something I’ve had to get used to in my life. I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB.
“To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you.”
JB Gill and Amy Dowden. Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston
A spokeswoman for Strictly added: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year.
“Whilst Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley will step in as JB’s dance partner.
“The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes.”
The news was first announced on Monday evening during the show’s spin-off programme Strictly: It Takes Two.
Lauren Oakley partnered with Krishnan Guru-Murthy last year.
Pic: PA
Dowden was taken ill during the live show the previous weekend and missed the Sunday results programme.
She was taken to hospital from the BBC show’s production centre, Elstree Studios, as a “precaution” after “feeling unwell”, a spokesman for Dowden said at the time.
Last year, Dowden found a lump in her breast while on her honeymoon in the Maldives with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones, and was unable to compete on Strictly.
After treatment for stage three breast cancer, she announced in February that tests showed she had “no evidence of disease“.
Read more from Sky News:
Tributes paid to Quincy Jones
Dawson’s Creek star shares cancer diagnosis
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Dowden was made an MBE in this year’s New Year’s honours list for services to fundraising and raising awareness of Crohn’s. She was diagnosed with the disease as a teenager and is a UK ambassador for the charity Crohn’s and Colitis.
She was also admitted to hospital in Manchester following a Crohn’s flare-up during the 2022 Strictly live tour.
Dowden also said in her statement that in the past few months she had “finally felt like me again”.
She added: “Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again.
“My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the strictly dance floor. It’s been such a challenge to get back.”
Dowden also praised JB Gill for being the “perfect partner” on the dancefloor.
“I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor. I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader,” she added.
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