When a person is feeling lonely or troubled, he wishes for a friend – even if it is an artificial one …
The short film BlinkyTM tells the story of Alex (Max Records) – a boy who spends a lot of time by himself watching television while overhearing the screams of his parents in one of their everlasting disputes. A TV advertisement shows a new tech toy – a robot called Binky. The screen is plastered with scenes of the perfect family, the kids have new friends, the adults a helper. Everyone is calm and happy, unlike Alex’s family. So now Alex knows what he wants for his Christmas present.
The next scenes are shot in a manner that reminds us of the camcordered family reunions and celebrations we’ve all experienced. We see Alex and his new friend – Blinky. The scenes are so idealistic that you feel like you would love to have a friend of your own like that (most kids already have them in the form of high-tech mobile phones and social networks that often replace real human contact). Yet, despite the wonderful moments Alex and Blinky spend together, the people Alex cares for – his parents – never stop arguing and are on the verge of a divorce.