What if your entire reason for being was simply to serve as an organ donor? Director Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo) explores this grim scenario in his new film Never Let Me Go, an adaptation of a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro.

The film follows a trio (Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley) who, after leaving their seemingly idyllic English boarding school, are forced to come to grips with the fate that awaits them.

Romanek discussed the making of the film with director Spike Jonze (Where the Wild Things Are; Being John Malkovich) following the DGA membership screening in New York on September 15.