INDIANAPOLIS— A new film exploring artificial intelligence, social media and the loss of human connection among teenagers is premiering Thursday night in Indianapolis as part of the Heartland International Film Festival.
“Disconnected” takes place in a high school where students rely on an app to manage their schoolwork and daily lives. The film examines how technology can make tasks easier while potentially weakening relationships and creating new risks for young people.
Actors Terrence A. Little Gardenhigh, Tim Johnson Jr. and Rebecca New discussed the film Thursday on Daybreak, including its message about finding a balance between technology and human interaction.
Gardenhigh plays Boone, a character who helps address problems at the school. New plays Liz Franklin, a student who stays involved in other people’s business and helps orchestrate events involving other characters. Johnson plays Coach Scotty, a wrestling coach who originally worked as a track coach before a staffing change.
New said the film explores both the benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence, including the temptation for students to use it to complete assignments without doing the work themselves.
The movie also addresses the potential consequences of AI-generated images and videos, including deepfakes, and how they can affect teenagers’ lives.
The actors said the film is intended for multiple generations, including teenagers, parents and grandparents.
“We’ve got to get back to just being together, just having conversations,” Gardenhigh said on Daybreak. “I think when you just start living within this box, you start getting lost.”
The discussion comes as schools and lawmakers consider ways to limit young people’s screen time and social media use.
The film’s premiere is scheduled for Thursday at the Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie in Indianapolis, with a red carpet at 6 p.m. followed by a 7:15 p.m. screening.
“Disconnected” aims to encourage conversations about how technology can serve as a useful tool without replacing the human connections that help shape young people’s lives.
