Ex Machina | Alex Garland | Talks at Google

Writer, producer, director Alex Garland visits Google to discuss his directorial debut movie EX MACHINA.
"Ex Machina" is about young coder at the world's largest internet company, wins a competition to spend a week at a private retreat belonging to the reclusive CEO of the company. Upon his arrival, he learns that he must participate in a bizarre experiment which involves interacting with the world's first true artificial intelligence, which comes in the form of a beautiful female robot.
Moderated by Dana Han-Klein.

[@brianjanson3498]

I found him incredibly interesting and honest. Make no mistake, this is a classic film. I give it five out of five stars without hesitation.

[@stojadinovicdushan]

brian janson what did you make of Annihilation?

[@OddSumo]

For someone as uncomfortable in interviews as Garland is, I think he was incredibly accommodating both in his responses. In his other interviews, he is exactly the same; granted somewhat aloof, but hardly rude, and never less than committed in answering questions in a meaningful way.

[@TheDionysianFields]

Nailed it.

[@Godzilla52]

It's funny that Garland comes off as quite dry in person judging from this interview, but he displays a lot of energy a wit in his writing/direction.

[@aristefansson2726]

I think he just can't stand that interviewer. I thought she was quite energy draining, I would be exhausted talking to her.

[@TheDionysianFields]

I get the impression he's highly introverted and could live without this kind of thing. It's all in the movies (and books). Watch the damn movie.

[@theechothief5594]

Yeah I am a massive Garland fan, but he comes off as bleak and joyless, although perfectly congenial.

[@zacboller8334]

It's interesting commenters are giving Garland grief. I think he was extremely poised and articulate. The moderator, on the other hand, while enthusiastic seemed insufficiently prepared for the interview. Not that her questions were bad, they were quite good, but they were hardly crisp or concise. I found her constant laughter at her own comments and extemporaneous ramblings a bit tiresome, as I suspect did Garland. An interview is not the venue by which the interviewer shares his thoughts, no one cares. It's about the person being interviewed. Despite that it was a very interesting discussion about one of the finest sci-fi films of the past ten years.

[@fanboydee]

Zac Boller I think she was doing well, she's clearly really excited to be interviewing and maintained her enthusiasm, but his demeanour likely caught her off-guard, he seems fed up the whole time, and as he's never had to do this much press for a movie before, he probably is. He remains engaged, but because he can't really hide the fact that he's not happy to be there he comes across as a little rude. That and his refusal to allow anyone to ever credit him with bringing EX MACHINA to our screens without acknowledging that it's a group effort, which is a noble sentiment, but comes across as pedantry when reiterated intermittently...

[@carnyharhar]

Zac Boller I have agree with Zac's comment, as well as dnwilliams. He might be a bit rude only because he is doing the media circus that must occur when filmmakers go out to promote their movies. I think, in a lot of ways, it's a frustration with themselves that they can't harbour they same enthusiasm as they would in their first interview. They feel like record players, in some sense, and losing that spontaneity is irritating. But I'm glad that he tried hard and really did a great job diving into each question as thoroughly as possible. Amazing film!

[@barryh13]

dnwilliams I agree, I would go as far as to say he appears arrogant and dismissive. No doubt the interview circus must be like groundhog day, but he should be happy people are interested in his bloody movies. Without it he wouldn't have the great privilege to make them, a lot of very smart people don't get this opportunity.

[@jeffreyclarke736]

Zac Boller What if he's just a frontman, an actor playing a role? What if he wasn't the writer and creator of the whole story? What if he's just part of a larger social engineering program or programs? I don't know, but his body language is unusual for the person he's being presented to us as being.

[@bigwin2010]

I don't really give a damn how he interviews with perky in-your-face type-A personalities. The dude made an awesome film in Ex Machina. Shades of Stanley Kubrick (type) Genius in this man. Thank you Mr. Garland.

[@RonPalmerPrickQueasy]

Thank you for this smart, fascinating and engaging conversation. I'm even more excited to see Ex- Machina. & I appreciate the fact that the spoiler comment about the ending was withheld.

[@intellectable]

Thanks for the conversation Alex Garland.

[@KeikoMushi]

I'd like to thank Alex Garland for his honest interview. I found it to be a lot more interesting than when an interviewee tries to fill time with waffle. I first saw an interview with him during one of The Open University's MOOCs on writing over at FutureLearn. He strikes me as thoughtful, with a dislike for the BS so common in the entertainment world.

[@lovehatevideo]

thanks for sharing that open university link, just signed up!

[@damnedcarrot]

6:00 “Hmmm, ooohh kay then….umm.” Whilst looking to the side and shaking your head, is not how you respond to an answer to your question, unless said answer is unintelligible. If someone responded to me like that on camera I’d initially think I wasn’t expressing myself properly, then conclude the interviewer must be suffering from brain damage . I’d then immediately become very uncomfortable. The most fascinating thing about this interview was observing the uncomfortable body language from both participants.

[@Zombiesnyder13]

This guy should write an episode of Black Mirror

[@justinhunt4767]

Love his work

[@justinrobinson6311]

The interviewer is enthusiastic. But there is a skill to asking good questions that she has not yet developed.

[@kingjohnny7215]

Yes Enthusiastic, but She's beyond Horrid as an Interviewer, shouldn't quit her day job, unless it's interviewing. Google couldn't get anyone else ? as an Interviewer She's the WORST.

[@stojadinovicdushan]

That’s what I thought of her - she’s informed and intelligent BUT she’s not a good interviewer; asking questions, letting people express themselves and talk about their vision and their work is a separate skill all of its own which she needs to work on.

[@TheAdekrijger]

Diversity hire. Most employees at Google are these days talent has nothing to do with it.

[@bedeyahhawkins]

He’s very grounded . Luv his body of work 💖💖💖

[@VicHristov]

Couldn't you remove the moderator? Annoying as hell.

[@felixthecat3n2]

She is most definitely the wrong person for this interview..

[@domsau2]

Why?

[@justinhunt4767]

Forreal she looks crazy

[@DR-ex7yu]

@@justinhunt4767 Just listen to it as a podcast if her appearance is too jarring.

[@TheDionysianFields]

Ill-prepared and unprofessional.

[@Izac92]

Equality got her this interview, most likely atleast.

[@abfsc]

Hey Google can you please send me a framed grab @1:44 -truly a masterpiece I'd also like to add Alex was simply trying to explain his point of view and that wasn't fitting neatly into the moderators pre-conceived notions. Instead of conceding to the fact Alex probably knows more about this stuff than her, she got defensive and continued to try and put words in his mouth. And everybody getting butt hurt about body language... Look at her appearance. She is choosing to communicate to the world that I'm going to do things my way and disregard understood norms (hear me roar). Very off putting to a writer, whose job it is to translate these sort of nuances, I'm sure.

[@sherborneprometheus8496]

This interview itself is a test of how perception can influence a behaviour in people. The energy would be different in any other setup. Very integrated with the theme of the movie.

[@zigmej]

The host... what where you guys thinking?

[@kingjohnny7215]

They weren't thinking AT ALL.

[@mugglescakesniffer3943]

DEVS or DEUS is awesome and parallels with Westworld. The people talking about both shows and comparing and contrasting and talking about free will is amazing.

[@Davidp915]

I really wish they had chosen someone else to interview him

[@zannpaci]

I don't think Garland passed the Turing test

[@stewartmccutcheon4668]

20 something Americam + 40 something Brit = zero chemistry

[@palefire4454]

Stewart McCutcheon aye mate, pretty accurate

[@JesusChristIsLord__]

+Stewart McCutcheon Not necessarily attributable to age (20 something) or Nationality (American). I think the lack of chemistry falls on her -- she comes across as being awkward, uneasy, and high-strung. If I was the interviewee, I would have been slightly annoyed.

[@bladerunner6032]

+hsucks great observation. I will add that some twenty somethings seem to have latched onto this thanks to examples in popular culture like Jesse Eisenberg. I like him as an actor and writer, but I would not want to be interviewed by him.

[@odalanizi]

Garland seemed uncomfortable for most of this interview. REALLY AWKWARD part when she tries to spoil the ending .... 23:40 -- yikes!

[@darwinfoye]

I think his uncomfortable state may have been due to being a bit intimidated in talking in front of a Google audience, knowing that they will be scrutinizing his every word and thoughts. After all, they should be the "experts" in his mind.

[@andsometimesy23]

Poor Alex. This moderator delivered almost all of the questions in self-explaining/personal views which made this a choppy interview. Alex had to first, graciously, address her personal reactions before the getting to the actual question. She also seemed oblivious to the few times she cut him off.

[@ThatKidFromRussia]

i want him and nolan to team up!

[@lastofmykind8]

I think they're good with the projects they're given. I wouldn't like to see them both direct a film.

[@hurlicane56]

lastofmykind8 I think he means Nolan would direct a Garland script. I would definitely see that!

[@ThatKidFromRussia]

Zachary Hurley exactly

[@lastofmykind8]

Oh I'd fucking love that.

[@nuke97]

ВАНЯ I thought the same thing after leaving the theater. Without a doubt if that happened the resulting movie would be nothing short of stunningly epic.

[@givingtree9619]

WHAT WAS THE BOOK HE REFERRED TO

[@curacaokidd]

ask questions quickly. then put your teeth together tightly. keep them in that position until the person people are interested in is through speaking.

[@stojadinovicdushan]

Albert Monson Amen to that! 😘

[@lidarman2]

I did not get it before that EVA was a real acting human but also going into the uncanny valley. So makes sense and brilliant.

[@houseironblades6412]

If Robert De Niro and Colin Farrell had a baby...

[@QuidamByMoonlight]

This looks like a hostage situation. The director of Ex Machina being interviewed by “Blue Book”. “We’re interested in data.” “Yeah, I’ve noticed”. LOL

[@Captain_Of_A_Starship]

Because part of communication is body language and that is why we care.

[@sharmashriraj13]

well if ex machina happened in real life.nathan of ex machina would be CEO of google and google would be company mentioned in movie,isn't it?

[@epictetus9221]

indeed. that's what google is doing, and allegedly has been aiming to do from the beginning - develop AI.

[@aristefansson2726]

4:19 "So you definitely dove into some of the headier issues of what is humanity what is personality, what is a sentient creature so what were some of the sort of challenges of getting this heady topic material/subject matter that has a lot of scientific implications to translate to a cinematic story as well as something that is also a human story and not getting to bogged down in the science but still convey? (it was a challenge you picked a big challenge for your subject matter)" First of all who let this woman do an interview?and secondly how can someone so incompetent have a job at Google?

[@Viperstings]

Reminds me of shrek and donkey..before they are friends.

[@AliMoeeny]

Is that Larry Page in the audience? at 0:24 and 1:02 ?

[@VicHristov]

Ali Moeeny No.

[@aaron4820]

+Ali Moeeny oh wow I kinda see what you mean... it's definitely not him, but it could be him in 20 years... maybe they're just messing around with their secret time machine prototype..

[@crapsack47]

I think she did a fine job. This man, and anyone who carries so many creative ideas, is hard to interview

[@danb7903]

Oh no, this interviewer again!

[@PVivekmca]

welcome to blue book :P

[@tim-finnigan]

I think Alex Garland is a really smart and insightful guy, but he doesn't look very comfortable in interviews. Maybe if the questions were different, then he would have been more engaged. I feel like the interviewer could have gone more in-depth on getting him to talk about some of the more important aspects of the film.

[@Mozts1]

If Eidos/CBS Films has any brains in their heads, they should call him for the Deus Ex HR movie.

[@theAlbertinator1]

Interviewer couldn't dance back

[@swar3194]

wdf is dat in 7;9

[@johnspry8490]

did alex just come off of a long flight or... anyone else think he is losing his patience in the moment?

[@teddygoodman4088]

Big time.

[@Langkowski]

He decided he wanted to make the movie as cheap as possible because of creative freedom. But what if some studio had said "I love your idea. Here is 150 million dollars. Use them as you wish." Would it still be the same movie, or would we have seen something else?

[@hans1926]

Tim Hansen, that's a wonderful question. I've thought a lot about this and I think a monster budget of 150 million would have resulted in a different film. It could have turned out to be not as good. I truly believe that a lower budget is a blessing, as every creative decision would have been made, taking in to account the budget restrictions. Ex Machina is a masterpiece. I hope Alex Garland continues to make films. So underrated.

[@MSordernature]

Wow she is really unbearable here. Better to have questions handed to him on a piece of paper.

[@furbster1]

its high comedy when she repeats his thought process back to him about the cellular theory...but just uses more words ...and he replies...'yeah' and rubs his chin.

[@derricks6415]

I usually love talks at google, I love when guests are enthusiastic, energentic, and excited about their work. The "3E's" capture an audience. This guy didn't even have one "E". Work on your stage presence sir.

[@jamnana2235]

***** I understand where you're coming from and perhaps because I'm not as familiar with Talks at Google as I suspect you are, I thought his demeanour and presentation was perfectly valid. At the very least I suspect it was reasonable from the perspective that this was an interview which focuses on emulating a discussion and as such takes a conversational tone, along with all its informalities with his ability to be natural and authentic taking precedence over his ability to be charismatic. If this was meant to be in the form of speeches, presentations and such than yes his lack of the "3E's" would be very detrimental but personally I still react more positively to a sense of authenticity as opposed to a trained ability to provoke positive reactions from the audience.

[@Nautilus1972]

***** He's a writer. An Artist, not an egotistical fucking jukebox who's all "me, me, me".

[@brianjanson3498]

***** You obviously have no idea what kind of work he focuses on. If you want a director that shits rainbows, go watch someone else.

[@DR-ex7yu]

@@brianjanson3498 Thanks for the laugh. I'm glad people on here can value authenticity and well articulated thoughts over the projection of a fake upbeat personality to be liked by their audience. Calm serious people are not necessarily "grumpy". Plus, Alex Garland seems like he prefers dry humour as opposed to laugh out loud slap-the-knee type jokes.

[@superviewer]

Most younger female interviewers giggle while they do their work. It seems like an epidemy. BUT the interview acutally turned out ok.

[@solidflow86]

he looks sort of like russel peters

[@StuckonEarth]

I was excited to watch this until the interviewer began talking... She did not only offered her opinion on every single question she asked but also talked fast and mumbled.. a lot. You can clearly tell how uninterested and impatient Alex gets by his body language. It almost seemed like she was trying to get Alex to validate how she interpreted the film. CRINGY af.

[@moriah746]

this is so meta

[@lilbigman777]

33:03

[@artemis360]

Hilarious watching Garland having to harness all the patience he has to deal with an interviewer of clearly inferior intelligence. Hats off to him though, he stays nice and polite throughout.

[@UberTankred]

Why is it always the interesting people who don't like being interviewed. I know he's doing his best to be courteous, but we would learn so much if he were as chatty as an actor (most of whom have nothing meaningful to say).

[@savagliani]

what an unhappy guy haha

[@danielruiz7906]

Mário Savagliani its the hideous interviewer. vomit

[@savagliani]

Daniel Ruiz Actually he is an intelligent and humble guy, just feeling uncomfortable with her it seems. But I enjoyed the things he said.

[@bigwin2010]

Mário Savagliani It's conflicting Type-A personalities, nothing more.

[@YaYaMan]

Alex is coming across as somewhat awkward from the very start, and in turn its making the interviewer feel awkward, and thus her constant rambling. Zero chemistry.

[@zissou6928]

Focus on the value not the horseshit

[@spartanguts480]

Does any1 think he looks like ROberto DeNiro..

[@Thecrossforever]

This chick is awful! Way to unprepared! It's seems like he wants to leave! Lol amazing movie!

[@kingjohnny7215]

Interesting Brilliant Filmmaker, no offense to the Woman, she's Horrid Hosting This, Really Bad.

[@justinhunt4767]

king johnny who hired her look at her

[@Vasiliki666]

ok, how irritating IS she ? She adds nothing to his interesting thought processes.....she IS the very stereotype that makes one wish to edit her contribution to this.....

[@jmbaug1229]

Imagine to work along people like her 9 hours everyday... Google is a huge powerful CORPORATION and in this interview we are able to see very clear how someone who really is creative and have his/her own opinion will never fit in a place such Google or any other tech giant.

[@SoCalFreelance]

The young butch lesbian's personality is too distracting/overpowering. They are conflicting personality types, the producer of this segment should have known better.

[@wwalkerproductions]

the mohawk lesbian is distracting to the interview

[@bladerunner6032]

Everyone has a right to their opinion. I was more put off by the choice of "mom blouse" circa 1975 and the blue jumper. He is all class and dressed in line with the event, by comparison.

[@greenspand]

Stop your Default Mode Network from judging. Your life will be so much richer. Trust me, I've been there. More info on DMN en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Default_mode_network

[@mson7234]

What's with the lesbian?

[@balahatun]

Well done to the moderator! Conducted the talk as proper as possible despite his grumpy attitude as if someone dragged him there. You rock Lady!

[@Pletzmutz]

Despite some comments here, I find the interviewer did a very good job. Most of the awkwardness stems from Garland here, it feels as if though he was in a bad mood at the start of the talk and slowly opens up during the interview.

[@Pletzmutz]

Also, why do so many feel the need to comment that much on her looks and speculate about her sexuality? Stop judging, start listening.

[@CruelQuertos]

@@Pletzmutz Why? Everybody judges you. I can judge and speak my mind and there is nothing you can do about it. I don't care about what you think.

[@lew.parker]

She is unbearable.

[@paulbeatty1090]

vida life,,, life is machine, life is all life, life is science, life is all human, animal, plant and universe activity, life is sentient universe, the dust of life, life is dust, health, sickness, cures, thoughts, memories, dreams, feelings and needs all together as one as life as the hands and body of life as life decides and chooses to do and be, life is alone, life stands alone, life is lonely, only life can, only life can do and be as life decides and chooses, life makes the first person from the dust of life, life is matter and energy and fields and everything and everyone and everybody all together as one as life as the hands and body of life as life decides and chooses to do and be, life is God, Allah, Dios, Deus, Yahweh are one and the same, life never left, life is every person, place and thing, life is Jesus Christ, mother Mary, Adom and Eve, man and woman, life is non-fiction and fiction, life is all possiblities, ways, paths, doors and points of views, life is the meaning, reason and origin of life, life is hiding and life is revealed, only life can deny life, each person is always in the hands, body and life of life, life is free will, responsible, holy, eternal, tangible, real, concrete and seeing is believing (You can see life), only life is alive, life is alive, life is living for each person, life is the life of each person, life is the body of life, life is the body of each person, life is always in charge and in control, the will of life, life is friend love and hugs, life never left, Jesus Christ never left, life is flesh and blood and bones, life is heaven on Earth, life is the Garden of Eden, life is the here and the hereafter, life is the big picture and is all images, only life exists and is, life is existence, life is the family, life is each mother father daughter son, life is the children, life is bounded and unbounded as life decides and chooses to do and be

[@paulbeatty1090]

paul beatty life is cool

[@JesusChristIsLord__]

He touches his face too much.

[@mkwarlock]

That interviewer looks like a stereotypical lesbian. I don't appreciate that look and acting.

[@ourtravelingzoo3740]

She’s awful

[@darrylbuchanan9203]

worst movie of all time!!! did you know it cost 15$ million dollars to make this!! there were no big sets or big actors and it was all made in 1 area, one robot and stabbing and that's it. $15 million dollars??? that coulda fed an entire fukin country and this dude was like yeah i'll make a movie about how i own a global search engine and can make sexy looking robots that i mistreat. if there was a moment when you realise how useless hollywood is, this is it. it's astounding to me, i think about it all the time lol.

[@gerrypoupart7672]

You missed the point totally its how AI will ulitilmatly take control when it becomes self aware. The multi billionaire company are AI creators real AI...it will end mankind.Chosse another movie to make your point like water world !

[@swnw4028]

What a vastly daft misconstruction of a genius work in neurophilosophy. I could liken your analysis to calling Einstein's special relativity theory as a "dumb equation" the development of which was a waste of time...

[@darrylbuchanan9203]

you missed the point. the point is $15 million to make a backyard movie is pure insanity. that's it. $15 million can go a long way if used for something valid, but it was used to make a worthless piece of garbage. it's non sense

[@gerrypoupart7672]

your an idiot! and bitter from your own mistakes!

[@darrylbuchanan9203]

what mistakes? seeing something as an overbudgeted waste is a mistake?