The Great Hack

The Great Hack, a strikingly relevant 2019 documentary, unravels the intricate and ominous world of data exploitation and its immense impact on the very foundation of modern democracies. Directed by Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim, the film delves deep into the infamous Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal that sent shockwaves across the globe, unraveling frightening implications, and posing critical questions about privacy, security, and the latent power of personal data.

The film showcases meticulous storytelling through the perspectives of three principal characters: Brittany Kaiser, David Carroll, and Paul-Olivier Dehaye, each germane to the very core of data warfare.

Brittany Kaiser, a central figure in the narrative, is a former director of business development for Cambridge Analytica. Initially portrayed as a key player in the data mining company, her role evolves intriguingly as the narrative progresses, making her journey one of the film's compelling arcs. Kaiser's insider perspective exposes the murky mechanics of Cambridge Analytica and the sinister reality of personal data commodification.

David Carroll, an associate professor at Parsons School of Design in New York, serves as the moral compass of the narrative. His quest to retrieve his personal data from Cambridge Analytica propels the storyline and effectively exposes the malpractices of the 'data-hungry' corporations. He poses unsettling yet necessary questions about data rights, actively challenging the narrative of 'the victimless crime.'

Complementing Kaiser and Carroll is Paul-Olivier Dehaye, a mathematician and data activist, who shares a profound understanding of the alarming scale and impact of data mining and analytics. His expertise offers valuable insights into the dark underbelly of digital manipulation, painting a horrifying picture of modern political subversion fueled by data exploitation.

Amer and Noujaim's masterful direction leaves no stone unturned to flesh out this complex world of data exploitation. Using stunning graphics, they depict the seemingly invisible, abstract concept of a 'data trail' – the reckless digital footprints we leave behind, which become viable commodities in the hands of data mining companies. This visual approach not only aids in the understanding of these complex processes but also makes the audiences cognizant of their digital vulnerability.

The film's strength lies in its approach of foregoing a black-and-white presentation of its central figures. Kaiser is neither completely demonized for her role at Cambridge Analytica nor entirely absolved. Carroll, despite his admirable quest, is not shown as a superhuman figure but as a common man, grappling with the omnipotent corporates. By maintaining this nuance, The Great Hack ensures an authentic representation of its narrative, steering clear of melodrama.

The narrative spill into various significant global events, such as the 2016 U.S Presidential elections & Brexit referendum, which puts tangible faces to the nebulous, ill-understood concept of data exploitation. This not only adds gravity to the narrative but assists viewers in understanding the mammoth scale and impact of these exploitative practices.

One of the key takeaways from The Great Hack is the uneasy reality of data commodification, where personal data surpasses oil as the world's most valuable asset. The film does a formidable job of highlighting the ethical quandaries this presents, and the noticeable absence of legislator control over such practices.

The Great Hack is a chilling exploration of digital privacy in the modern world, a deeply unsettling illumination of how personal data can be weaponized to influence democratic processes. It successfully nudges its viewers to reconsider and re-evaluate their digital footprint and the potentially disastrous consequences each digital decision holds.

Overall, The Great Hack is an eye-opening documentary that serves as an urgent call to action in the age of intrusive data mining and manipulation. A study of power, manipulation, and personal freedom, The Great Hack is a harrowing chronicle of our times.