Article 12 — The bad news: we live in a digitally controlled surveillance society, comparable to the medieval Inquisition. The Good News: Feature documentary Article 12: Waking up in a Surveillance Society peels back a few layers of Orwellian doublespeak, and issues a call-to-action for a counter-surveillance movement.
Article 12 is a haunting, intelligent essay documentary that explores the evolving history, symbolism and politics of security, privacy and freedom, to reveal a growing digital matrix that is monitoring, and controlling, our lives. Sound like fiction or a even a conspiracy theory? If only. The fear of global terrorism has led to a perceived need for more sophisticated surveillance and security measures, which translates into a growing loss of privacy. People are willing to give up privacy in the name of security. But what exactly does security mean, anyway? A police state, where authorities have instant access to the details of your every move? CCTV (aka God or Big Brother) is watching you!
An impressive lineup of interviews with leading academics, philosophers, technologists and activists includes Noam Chomsky, Amy Goodman and Brian Eno. Talking heads are interwoven with a voyeuristic visual style, waking us up to a chilling world in which our data bodies are fast becoming more influential than our physical bodies. What can we do about it?
“Get rid of the monolythic thinking that media produces.” cautions legendary musician, and activist, Brian Eno. “We can start by blowing up TV transmitters. If you know anyone that’s doing that, I’d be happy to send them some cash.”
This dense, thought-provoking film invites us to “remember Article 12” in the 1948 US Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence… Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.” A must-see for anyone concerned about who controls the Agenda.
Fun Fact: Victoria is home to the only website in Canada whose sole goal is to help Canadians protect their personal information! www.privasectech.com
Sun. • Feb. 5 • Cap 6 Th5 • 7:15pm • Sat. • Feb. 11 • Cap 6 Th6 • 4:30pm
Director: Juan Manuel Biaiñ
U.K./Argentina • 2010 • 75 min • DCBC Premiere
Review by Mandy Leith www.Mediarising.tv/Open Cinema
