Described by director Mathew Nelson as a “film about an individual escaping modern times through a series of car crashes”, Information Superhighway is an experimental sci-fi short exploring a selection of themes, all centred around technology. Presented in striking black-and-white photography, accompanied by a deadpan, informative voice-over, Nelson’s short borders on the realms of experimental storytelling often outside our usual curation – but felt too distinct and too original to ignore.

Opening with a scene where a man in futuristic-looking headgear is involved in a head-on vehicle collision, it’s fair to say Nelson’s 11-minute short doesn’t follow a traditional storytelling route. Separated into sections, highlighted by intertitles that provide context, Information Superhighway plays out like evidence presented at a trial, the emotionless narration adding to the cold delivery of information.

That’s not to imply Nelson’s film is a cold watch, there’s something purposefully clinical about the production, but there’s also a poetic rhythm to the short which helps to lend it a bit of heart, and keep you engaged. The storytelling is speculative and often bordering on the philosophical, but combined with those stark, attention-grabbing visuals it’s hard not to enjoy the ride – even if you may find it a bit of a car crash.

Beginning its life as a story focused on “the advent of the driverless car and its implications”, Nelson explains (as we discuss the inspiration behind his story) how his film “then transformed into a larger essayistic piece concerning privacy, automation, mass data, and the acceleration of technology”. This “essayistic” feel does mean that some may find Information Superhighway a little inaccessible but as a platform looking to showcase shorts that brave new territory, I found it too bold, and too exciting not to share with you. If you’re looking for a fresh, challenging take on science-fiction storylines – this could be just the short for you.

Created back in 2018, Information Superhighway has had an impressive festival run over the last couple of years, with stops at Slamdance, Fantastic Fest and Aesthetica, before premiering online at S/W. Nelson is now working on pre-production on his latest project Real M.ichigan, a feature film about a motorcycle gang searching for a lost girl in the American South West. If the director can translate the exciting filmmaking on show in Information Superhighway into his feature, we can’t wait to see it.