Previously working on Booksmart, which marked her directorial debut and received Golden Globes and Bafta nominations in 2019, Olivia Wilde claimed her status as one of the most influential actresses and filmmakers of the past decade. With this in mind, she decided to dive even further into the world of cinema, by directing a short film dedicated to every member of the modern society.
Wilde debuted her short film, Wake Up, at the Sundance Film Festival on the 24th of January, sharing an impactful message within her project and daring us to reconnect with reality. In her “love letter” to New York City (her hometown), as described by the director, she takes on the problem of mobile phones and how obsessive use of technology has changed her point of view on the world.
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Wilde, in partnership with HP, crafted a brand film which illustrates a young woman’s life story after she goes through a traumatic accident which leaves her with amnesia. As she wakes up with almost no memory, she begins to resume her life by enjoying each and every side of it.
While singing, dancing and experiencing a new emotion with each breath, the girl portrayed by Margaret Qualley (Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood), suggestively named Jane Doe, observes those around her and attempts to communicate with them.
In return, however, they seem to be unaware of any interaction coming from the exterior world, remaining hooked to their screens, walking rapidly in a straight line, and ignoring the changing world around them. The entire metaphor of the film is one remarkable hypnotic experience projected to make audiences think and inspire them to wake up from this digital dream and take action.
A rather impactful short that is guaranteed to intrigue viewers, it features a generous performance from its lead, who displays every feeling graciously and makes it all seem natural. Her performance was equally refreshing and vivid, hence it is safe to say she fully embodied the character and the story it tells. Qualley has previously demonstrated her theatrical abilities in the FX TV show Fosse/Verdon, in which she starred alongside Michelle Williams and Sam Rockwell, and that earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series.
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The premise of the story itself is not new, although the execution and the quality of its depiction are impeccable. Meeting every expectation and motivating viewers to reclaim control of their lives and establish meaningful connections outside the virtual scape.
The direction, as well as the editing, is highly professional and truly captivating in their entirety. Perfume Genius’ original score compliments the positive tone of the script and contributes to delivering the full package Wake Up has to offer. A pleasant watch which shares a valuable lesson with its global audiences. Encouraging individuals to rediscover the thrill of living in the real world, without carrying the worries of the digital environment along.
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