Can I Get a Witness? explained

Can I Get a Witness? is a 2024 Canadian science fiction film directed by Ann Marie Fleming.^[1]

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024.

Premise

Blending live action and animation, the film is set in a postapocalyptic world in which travel and technology are virtually banned, and people who reach the age of 50 have to submit to death to control the size of the population, while young people are tasked with artistically documenting their final moments.^[2]

Production

The film stars Sandra Oh, Joel Oulette and Keira Jang, with its supporting cast including Cassandra Sawtell, Jovanna Burke, Andre Anthony, Reece Presley, Benjamin Immanuel, Yuki Morita, Tedra Rogers, Naika Toussaint, Oscar Chark, Ally Battaggia, Devon Ellis-Durity and Kymo Van Oers.

The majority of shooting took place in Powell River, British Columbia.^[3]

Production on the film was first announced in 2022.^[4] According to Fleming, the film was inspired by themes of eco-anxiety and ecological grief.^[5] Fleming originally intended for the film to be a satire inspired by the work of Jonathan Swift, but by release it had become what she called "a gentle comedy".

Release

Can I Get a Witness? had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024.^{[6] [7]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ryan . O'Rourke. Sandra Oh to Lead Sci-Fi Thriller 'Can I Get a Witness' From Ann-Marie Fleming. Collider. November 2, 2022. August 19, 2024.
2. Web site: Etan. Vlessing. Sandra Oh to Star in 'Can I Get a Witness' Sci-Fi Thriller. The Hollywood Reporter. October 31, 2022. August 19, 2024.
3. Web site: Fleming . Ann Marie . 12 September 2024 . In my film, everyone chooses to die at 50 because it's the only way to save the world . 3 October 2024 . CBC Arts.
4. Web site: Melanie . Goodfellow . Sandra Oh, Ann Marie Fleming Reunite On Sci-Fi Thriller 'Can I Get A Witness', One Of Four New Titles On Mongrel International's AFM Slate. Deadline Hollywood. October 31, 2022. August 19, 2024.
5. Web site: Ingrid . Randoja . Ann Marie Fleming Returns With 'Can I Get a Witness' . . February 15, 2024. August 19, 2024.
6. Web site: Can I Get a Witness? . . August 19, 2024.
7. Web site: Jeremy . Kay . Ron Howard's 'Eden', John Crowley's 'We Live In Time' among Toronto world premieres . . July 9, 2024 . August 19, 2024.