LOS ANGELES — Are we alone in the universe? What would happen if aliens had been watching us for years and finally made contact?
“Landscape with Invisible Hand” is the story of when an occupying alien species’ bureaucratic rule and advanced technology leave most of Earth impoverished and unemployed, and two teenagers hatch a risky plan to ensure their families’ futures.
In the film, the aliens, known as Vuvv, are particularly fascinated with human love and will pay for access to it through a broadcast. To make some extra money, Chloe Marsh (Kylie Rogers) and Adam Campbell (Asante Blackk) decide to live stream their teenage love, but once it fizzles out, they face life-altering sacrifices for their families.
The movie is based on a book by M.T. Anderson.
“I loved the book. It is obviously why I wanted to make this movie,” said Cory Finley, the director. “It has this funny, brainy, but not taking itself too seriously tone. It has this central complex allegory. This idea of a free-market alien invasion. I was drawn into all of that.”
The aliens in “Landscape with Invisible Hand” are not your typical Hollywood-looking aliens. They are the size of coffee tables, but Finley says they designed them to feel other-worldly with a comical element for the film.
Finley told Spectrum News that while the story plays with an alien invasion trope, he loves they are not big, strong and powerful military invaders.
“It is not a military invasion. They are not destroying our cities. They are offering technology that at first glance seems really helpful. It will save us a lot of labor. They can make things super cheaply. This slow grinding down of Earth’s economy after first contact is the result of seemingly peaceful alien invasion. Something about that felt true and very funny to me,” he said.
The film’s release coincides with recent headlines by a former official who claimed the U.S. likely has been aware of “non-human” activity since the 1930s. It is a claim the Pentagon has denied.
So, does Cory Finely believe there is life out there besides us on Earth?
“I am completely agnostic on that question. I don’t have a strong opinion one way or another. I am not a passionate alien hunter. The desire to make this movie was more about this central metaphor and strange tone than about a deep desire to speculate on the way the future may unfold. It was more of a skewed reflection of our present,” he said.
Because of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes in Hollywood, no actors could participate in promoting the film, but Finley had a message for the cast.
“They totally carried the movie. If the movie works, it is completely on the backs of our amazing cast. I very much support them in SAG’s strike. I think they are fighting a valiant effort on behalf of humanity and I hope they get everything they are asking for,” he told Spectrum News.
“Landscape with Invisible Hand” is now playing in theaters.
The movie stars Asante Blackk, Kylie Rogers, Emmy- and Grammy award winner Tiffany Haddish, Michael Gandolfini, William Jackson Harper, Josh Hamilton and Brooklynn MacKinzie.
Click the arrow above to watch the full interview with Cory Finley.