Users

Users is a compelling documentary from the year 2021, directed by Natalia Almada, a renowned Mexican filmmaker whose previous works are noted for their thought-provoking insights into social issues.

The film examines the complex relationship between humans and technology, specifically focusing on the consecutive generations growing up in the era of digitization. Without overtly making a statement, the film challenges the viewer to question the increasing dependency on technology and the implications it holds for the future.

Throughout the film’s duration, Almada purposefully plays with perspectives, creating a visually rich tapestry that contrasts the natural world with the man-made technological landscape. As a result, Users presents visually stunning and stylistically innovative storytelling, making use of intricate cinematography to make its point.

One of the central aspects of Users is Almada's exploration of how technology impacts parenthood and childhood. The film starts off with the director musing about the emotional bond her own child forms with the voice of a smart speaker, a bond that feels real and comforting to the child. This sets the stage for a broader examination of how humans, especially children, form relationships with technology.

It provides enlightening insight into various socio-technological situations, like the rampant usage of devices by children, the endless time spent socializing on digital platforms, the constant engagement with technology for recreational purposes, and the potential consequences these behaviors might have on the natural world.

Further adding to its complexity, Users is not merely a commentary on society and technology - it also features poignant observations and arguments on climate change and its correlation with technology. It examines the role of technology in unparalleled consumption of natural resources, eventually leading to ecological degradation.

Almada's project is intended to be more than a straightforward analysis or critique of modern lifestyles. Instead, the director tries to provoke thought among viewers by highlighting the dichotomy of reliance on technology - while it promises comfort and convenience, its unregulated usage can lead to dire environmental consequences and unsettling shifts in human behavior.

For instance, there is an explicit comparison of a child in the womb being nurtured by the mother, to the creation of a technological device. The growing bond between a neonate and their device is depicted much like an umbilical cord tying them together. This parallel is a unique element in the film that will make viewers ponder deep about the ethical implications about our inherent dependency on technology.

The technological advances that are shown, like wireless connections, digital touchpoints, and artificial intelligence, seem ethereal and ubiquitous, shaping the physical as well as emotional landscapes of humans. However, simultaneously, these same technologies leave lasting impacts on the earth’s ecology, a point that Almada drives across with powerful visual narratives.

One of the most captivating elements of Users is the way it addresses the question of whether new technology will replace the inherent need for human connection or erode the ability of individuals to live without the artificial companionship provided by these devices.

In its narrative structure, relatively less emphasis is put on storytelling in traditional ways. Rather, the film shifts between scenes of natural beauty like oceans, forests, and contrasts them against the cold, calculated precision of server rooms and robotic assembly lines. Here, the striking visuals do most of the talking, presenting a stark dichotomy to viewers.

Although Users does not reach a definitive conclusion, its strength lies in its ability to evoke a meaningful discourse about technology's role in our lives, the emotional dependencies we create with our devices, and the environmental footprint left behind by our digital consumption. It leaves its audience with much to think about, ending with an open-ended question about whether or not the next generation will be okay.

Ultimately, Users is a gripping and contemplative examination of our current age, probing the thought-provoking relationship between technology and humans. It is a valuable piece for anyone interested in understanding the transformative power of technology and its broad effects on human life and the natural world.