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USERS

Directed by: Natalia Almada

Runtime: 81 min

Year: 2021

Country: United States, Mexico

Rated: Not Rated

Language: English

Film Type: Documentary

Featuring a Q&A moderated by KUER's RadioWest host Doug Fabrizio with director Natalia Almada.

Users begins with a mother’s question–will my children love the perfect machines more than they love me, their imperfect mother? She pushes the button and a smart crib lulls her crying baby to sleep, flawlessly every time. This question guides her inquiry into the intimate relationship we have with technology that is increasingly driving all aspects of our society. We explore the unintended and often dehumanizing consequences of our society’s embedded belief that technological progress will lead to the betterment of humanity. Is technological progress inevitable? Are we all increasingly isolated? Do we really have agency to direct its course? Is technology an expression of our humanity or is technology destroying our humanity? The film will be a critical and intimate meditation on these questions.

Users traverses places ranging from the largest indoor vertical farm in the world to the perfect artificial wave, from an IVF embryo lab to a fiber optic cable landing. Invisible infrastructure that we all rely on is made visible. Our reliance on machines and our alienation from each other is palatable. Urgent global issues like climate change and privacy are explored from the intimate perspective of a mother thinking, worrying and loving her children.

 

Tender, strange, visually stunning, adventuresome, surprising, and deep.” —Rebecca Solnit

 


Through The Lens series presented in partnership with:
KUER 90.1RadioWest


Through The Lens series funded in part by:

Awards

2021
Sundance Film Festival - Directing Award

Official Selection:

2021
Sundance Film Festival
Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival
Jerusalem Film Festval
La Roche-sur-Yon International Film Festival
Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival
Stockholm Film Festival
HotDocs
True/False
CPH:DOX
BFI London Film Festival

Honors:

2021
Sundance Film Festival - Grand Jury Prize
Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival - Film Forward Competition
Jerusalem Film Festval - Best Experimental Documentary, Best Documentary
La Roche-sur-Yon International Film Festival -
Prix Nouvelles Vagues Acuitis
Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival - Sitges Documenta Award
Stockholm Film Festival - Best Documentary

Wednesday, July 12 @ 7:00 PM

In Person |

The City Library

FREE

ADA accommodations are available. If you have additional needs, please visit our Accessibility page to connect with an ADA coordinator.

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