#SXSW: “MORE THAN ROBOTS”

By Amanda Gilmore

More Than Robots is about adversity, sportsmanship, giving back, and ultimately finding who you are.

This inspiring Documentary from Actor-turned-Director Gillian Jacobs follows four teams of teenagers from around the world as they prepare for the 2020 FIRST® Robotics Competition. Jacobs narrows-in on the teams from Los Angeles, Mexico City and Chiba, Japan as they work on their unique designs with the goal of competing in the global championships.

Jacobs gets us access to this highly-competitive world of Robotics right before the pandemic hit. Therefore, showing them as they are meant to be: big sporting events. With the fans in the stands and mascots pumping them up, the atmosphere is infectious. Jacobs makes us want to be there right along with it, which makes the final minutes of the Doc all the more upsetting. The teams who made it to the Championship never got to go due to the pandemic.

Jacobs manages to use the pandemic to show us the resilience of these engineers. During this disconnected time, the teammates realize they’re stronger together. Instead of being upset about the cancelled competitions, they mobilize to make changes in their communities. That’s the heart of More Than Robots, the effect this club has on its members. They learn perseverance, patience and collaboration. In doing so, these members learn who they are and what they want to do in the world.

Jacobs’ brilliant turn as a Director with the inspiring More Than Robots will have you rushing to get to the next Robotics Competition in your area.

More Than Robots will release on Disney+ on Friday, March 18, 2022.

More Than Robots screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

In-Person:
Monday, March 14 at 7:30 PM EST – SXSW Film Theatre

Tuesday, March 15 at 7:00 PM EST – Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema

Wednesday, March 16 at 8:15 PM EST – Alamo Lamar D

Online:
Tuesday, March 15 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours