It’s impossible to deny that we are living in an increasingly digitised world. The majority of our social interactions are now made remotely, most of our work is carried out on screen, low skilled jobs are becoming automated and we’re as offended by an ‘unfriending’ as we are by a face to face fallout. One thing is for sure – the internet has changed our lives and it makes us wonder if maybe sometimes is better off staying home and trying out online roulette instead; after all, there are some pretty great deals available for new accounts. So, between these two worlds is up to filmmakers to decide whether it’s for better or for worse.
Runner Runner
Whilst there have been plenty of films that famously feature a casino as a backdrop, there are far fewer that feature an online casino as the centre of the plot. Runner Runner was a pioneering 2013 film, which sought to portray the life of a poker player more realistically. Richie Furst, played by non-other than Justin Timberlake, sets off on a life-changing adventure after finding out that his online poker opponent might not be treating him fairly.
The film has its twists and turns, but at the end of the day its a classic tale of good triumphing over evil, or more specifically Riche triumphing over ‘the wizard of odds’ Ben Affleck. If you’re looking for a wildly unpredictable film then this is not the one for you. However, if you like plenty of action, a chance to throw shade at those with a suspiciously luxury lifestyle, a handful of great casino scenes and the odd threat of being thrown to the crocodiles, then add it to your ‘to watch’ list immediately.
Catfish
Catfish made such a splash back in 2010 that it earned itself a television series. 10 years later, they’re 144 episodes in and showing no signs of stopping. What is it that made this film and series such compulsive viewing? Possibly the notion that whilst this isn’t quite a boat we’re all in, it’s probably only a short hop away.
The film begins with Nev Schulman receiving a drawing from an eight-year-old girl, with an explanatory email from her mother. The email correspondence between Nev and Abby begins and the two quickly form a bond. Romance blossoms and though the two don’t make plans to meet, when Nev is taken across the country with work, he drops in to find that Abby’s life is not quite as she made it out. The film ends relatively amicably all things considered, but it certainly drives home the lesson that not everyone that we speak to on the internet is necessarily exactly who they say they are.
The Social Network
Facebook has become such a part of our everyday lives that The Social Network is a welcome opportunity to reassess its prevalence.
Interestingly this is another one that stars Justin Timberlake, this time alongside Jesse Eisenberg. These two take the roles of Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg, respectively, the two men who are credited with creating Facebook. It seems almost unimaginable that pre-2004, Facebook was not in existence. Nowadays we thank it for allowing us to spend hours mindlessly scrolling through pointless videos and being able to have a nose into the lives of people we went to primary school with. The Social Network documents the creation of this controversial part of our 21st-century life.
This 2010 film cleverly discusses the ‘buzz’ around the invention of the social media giant, without getting caught too heavily in the ‘big brother’ way of thinking. It doesn’t skirt around issues of money or surveillance, or indeed loneliness; rather it tackles them head-on and that makes for a film that, despite being a decade old, truly stands the test of time. Whilst Facebook has moved on leaps and bounds, for better or for worse, the sentiment of the film remains timely and poignant.
The Circle
Although The Circle received mixed reviews after its release, the premise of the film is an important one. Adapted from the 2013 novel of the same name, the film deals with the issue of our compulsive oversharing in a world where our identity, privacy and data is more precious than ever. It’s a sinister thriller, which bridges the gap between dystopian and actually scarily possible all too easily. The film is based around a company called The Circle which stores enormous amounts of data about each person who holds an account. Whether it’s as innocuous as social media posts, as sensitive as medical history or as personal as familial messages, they have everything on you, allegedly for your own convenience.
Emma Watson plays the bright young new employee for The Circle, Mae, with Tom Hanks as the CEO. Her first days at work seem heady, filled with that new tech startup energy and endless youth. As the film progresses however, some of the things that are being asked of Mae start to feel a little unsettling. Her enthusiastic colleagues tell her of a system that protects children by inserting microchips into them; they question her on not sharing her father’s diagnosis on her social channels; they reveal a marble-sized camera that can be planted anywhere. Each revelation is made with a smile on the face and not a hint of malice, as though they truly believe that all of this is progress. With each hurdle presented to her, Mae slips further and further into this world of progress and in doing so becomes less and less likeable to the viewer. It’s a brave and bold move to create a heroine that gets sucked into the bad side, but in doing so it shows an important message: how hard it is to stand up for our rights when the people we are standing against truly believe that they are doing no wrong.
Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World
Although it is more documentary than film, Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World certainly deserved its place on the list. Directed and narrated by Werner Herzog, this documentary speaks to people who hold strong and often polarizing views on the internet. Undoubtedly there is a great deal of interesting content, from those who stay away from civilisation entirely in order to avoid electromagnetic waves, to others who believe the internet has the power to change the world for the better. What truly shines through though is Werner’s ability to marvel at everything that is wonderful about humans. His fantastic interviewing technique shows us glimpses into the mind of each of his interviewees. It’s wonderful to realise that a film that set out to be about the internet ended up being so much more about the human condition.
