AI-Assisted Film 'The End of Times' Tackles Trauma at Venice Critics' Week

The film "The End of Times" offers a profound examination of trauma and mental well-being, utilizing innovative AI integration and found footage. This collaborative work from Colombian filmmakers Bibiana Rojas Gómez and Juan David Cárdenas Maldonado seeks to "politicize mental illness," arguing that individual struggles often reflect broader societal issues. Premiering at the prestigious Venice Critics' Week, the movie challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of depression within the context of contemporary capitalism and technological advancements. Its narrative, centered on a daughter exploring her mother's sadness through decades of family archives, culminates in a powerful statement on the difficulty of envisioning a more hopeful future.

Colombian Filmmakers Unveil Groundbreaking AI-Powered Film at Venice Critics' Week on September 10th

On September 10, 2026, at the esteemed Venice Critics' Week, an independent segment of the Venice Film Festival, a thought-provoking Colombian film titled "The End of Times" (El fin de los tiempos) made its global debut. The project, a collaborative endeavor by co-directors Bibiana Rojas Gómez and Juan David Cárdenas Maldonado, presents a unique blend of archival footage and artificial intelligence to navigate the intricate landscapes of trauma and depression. Juan David Cárdenas Maldonado is credited with penning the screenplay, while Bibiana Rojas Gómez took charge of the editing. Split Screen is managing the international distribution for this significant cinematic work. The narrative follows Salomé as she meticulously sifts through fifty years of family recordings, searching for the origins of her mother's enduring sorrow. Her quest to imagine alternative realities for her mother consistently leads back to themes of depression and unease, set against a backdrop where the collapse of global economic systems appears more conceivable than an end to capitalism. The filmmakers highlight that AI, while a symbol of technological progress, paradoxically exposes societal failings like exploitation and pervasive misery, particularly when viewed from the perspective of marginalized nations. They assert that civilization's perceived achievements often mask underlying barbarity, leading to a system of widespread exhaustion and emotional distress. Consequently, depression has evolved into a prevalent condition, functioning not merely as a psychiatric diagnosis but as a societal reaction to existing material, economic, and political circumstances. The directors conclude that their film endeavors to elevate mental illness into a political discourse, positing that in a world where a brighter future seems elusive, sadness becomes a common adaptive mechanism.

"The End of Times" presents a compelling argument that mental health issues, such as depression, are not solely personal afflictions but are deeply intertwined with socioeconomic and political structures. This film encourages audiences to look beyond individual pathology and consider how global systems contribute to collective suffering. By using AI as both a narrative tool and a thematic element, it invites contemplation on humanity's capacity to envision and enact meaningful change in an increasingly complex world. The work serves as a poignant reminder that empathy and critical thinking are essential in addressing the profound challenges of our era.