'' The Argument ( with annotations ) '' is a 2017 Canadian-British short experimental drama film written , directed , and edited by video artist Daniel Cockburn . The short 's first half attempts to deceive the audience into thinking it is a non-fictional video essay , revealing itself mid-way to be a work of fiction , the essay actually the work of the film 's protagonist , an elderly professor ( Clare Coulter ) . Submitted as Cockburn 's thesis for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Film studies at York University , the film had its world premiere at the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival , and has been warmly received by critics
42nd Toronto International Film Festival
2017 Toronto International Film Festival
The Argument (with annotations)