Intent of the Filmaker

Denis Villeneuve, the director of Arrival, sought out to make a film that crossed genre lines and combined the elements of science-fiction with the reality of humanity [1]. While there was little direct conversation on the director’s intent with regards to computing, there are several elements that bridge this gap. A main focus in the film is the importance of communication as the two main characters work with aliens to determine why they have arrived on Earth. In an interview with Jeremy Renner, who plays Dr. Ian Donnelly in the film, mentioned that Arrival looks at “what unites and and what divides us… Language does that more than almost everything else” [1]. Language itself serves as a computation tool for humans. It allows us to collect, store, and transfer information between individuals. Villeneuve explained that he intended to make the heptapods have a “strong instinctive” presence. However, the films where the scientists are teaching the heptapods English were meant to imitate how children are taught such as through individual words and imitating meanings [2]. This creates a more real humane touch for the US approach to communication. By teaching the heptapods in a more intimate and simple way, it illustrates the power of computing without technology.

On the other side of language acquisition, the director and screenwriter, Eric Heisserer, worked to ensure that the heptapod language was established. For example, in an interview with Collider Extras, Heisserer revealed that the production team created an alphabet for heptapod [3]. This was later compiled into a heptapod dictionary which was given to Villeneuve [2]. After spending the time to establish this new form of language, the team then made actual software that would break down the alphabet to replicate the heptapod language [3]. This dedication to developing the heptapods language shows the value of computing in the film. Additionally, the actual software used to break down and recreate the language was used in the film [3]. Rather than use CGI within the film, the use of actual software allows for proper computing and highlights the actual use of computing within technology. This also shows the real life connection between how computing and technology often work hand-in-hand. The software allows communication as a computing device to have a more widespread use and break language barriers. Yet, the actual language serves as the basis for the software’s intent and proper function. Overall, the director demonstrated a commitment to language as a form of computation paired with humane moments.