Climate Control (2025)

-Written by Michelle Vorob.

2026 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!

Climate Control is an experimental short film by Sarah Lasley, in collaboration with [her] students at Cal Poly Humboldt. Climate Control is so timely and relevant that it's kind of meta, even in approach and message. I have previously reviewed a film by Lasley and she does not disappoint. 

The premise of Climate Control is a film crew is attempting to make a documentary about the [real] 2023 Lutzerath open coal mining protests in Germany, but an AI program keeps hijacking the process to auto-generate Hallmark-style rom-coms. 

Now, to best describe the feel and style of the back-and-forth in Climate Control, I'm going to reference two things I highly suggest watching, if you haven't. One, is Amazon Women on the Moon (1987), an absurdly hilarious film, framed as if someone were up late, flipping channels on the T.V., long before streaming existed. Two, is Duck Amuck (1953), a highly regarded animated short, starring Daffy Duck, facing a secret tormentor who keeps changing the circumstances of his existence. 

Now, in our current landscape of AI overuse, we're seeing that results and suggestions are often incorrect or lack contextual understanding [on the part of the AI]. There are already articles surfacing online about companies facing serious issues, as a result of incorporating AI data and reports into their business model, ignoring any cautions against implementing these programs, and later finding out the information generated was completely erroneous. 

Another facet of our current online landscape is two-fold: we have sensory overload and burnout. It can be easy to become emotionally exhausted from the constant barrage. The other issue is that online content is no longer neutral and free. The information displayed is now typically sponsored and we're at the point where small businesses and educational resources, which were previously thriving online, have been drowned out by big business technical industrialization. We know that AI data centers are even affecting real-world environmental issues. On that note, back to Climate Control. 

Climate Control starts as what seems like a literal climate documentary. The AI creeps in subtly, at first. It seems like a glitch, until you realize it's part of the film. It becomes hilarious at times, while still deftly highlighting both the climate crisis being caused by continued destruction of nature [our air, soil, and water resources] and the issues of reliability we're facing with the too-quick reliance on AI.

Lasley ends Climate Control with a great rendition of “Islands in the Stream,” originally by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers [written by the Bee Gees BTW], considered one of the greatest duets of all time. It was a massive chart topper in 1983. Lots of 80s references in this review. Makes me think of all the excess hydrofluorocarbons in the air back then. There are jokes that it was from all the hairspray we used. 

But in all seriousness, Climate Control broaches important topics in a funny and heartfelt way. Lasley has also created a companion Website, https://www.promptresponsibly.com/, which is definitely worth a visit.

Written & Directed by Sarah Lasley.

Starring Mallory Merlo, Kyrstie Obiso, Lake Terre, Luke Wilson, etc. 

8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING