Synopsis
This is the story of a man who may one day be seen as the catalyst for our neurological future.
Review
The Father of the Cyborgs is a new Irish documentary that offers a fascinating insight into the world of brain-to-computer interfacing told through the story of the pioneering Irish Neuro-Scientist Dr Phil Kennedy, who once controversially implanted electrodes into his own brain (we see the footage of the surgery and it’s definitely not for the squeamish).
The documentary is anchored with Dr Kennedy’s story and how he famously put not only his professional reputation and career at risk but also his own life back in 2014 with his medical procedure on his brain. The documentary does its best to serve up a balanced view on the ethics of self-experimentation in the name of science, showcasing both the benefits and hazardous risks that can go with it.
Making his directorial debut, Director David Burke introduces us to patients suffering from ALS and locked-in syndrome and highlights the possible benefits the use of implanting wire electrodes directly into the brain can offer those individuals!
Communication is at the heart of the story, we hear the heart-warming stories of sufferers now able to speak to their families contrasted with big business and the technology industry looking to profit from the science.
For me, the final chapter rather quickly highlights the perils of neurological manipulation and this derailed the momentum of the profile piece. Overall this is a very enjoyable documentary and will leave you questioning the morality and ethics of our digital future.
