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Disconnected
Director: MELODY GILBERT
MINNESOTA MADE • DIRECTOR PRESENT
The approach used by the class to produce Disconnected was untraditional to say the least. Led by accomplished documentary filmmaker Melody Gilbert (URBAN EXPLORERS: INTO THE DARKNESS, A LIFE WITHOUT PAIN, WHOLE), eight dedicated Carleton College students conceived, filmed, and edited the movie in a documentary production class.
Making the film meant that the students had to commit to each other in a fashion that is rarely, if ever, required by college classes. After pitching ideas back in September, three students in the class volunteered to give up their “digital crutch” – computers. The rest of the students were assigned to shadow and film the “computerless three” to capture on video how they adapted and coped with their schoolwork, recreation and relationships. When the camera crews weren’t available, the three main characters were equipped with hand-held “video diary” cameras. All the filming occurred during one term (September-November). Miraculously, all three of the main characters passed their classes and all of the students in the class have learned something about their generation: they need their computers. But at least now they know how to use a typewriter.
USA • 2008 • 74 MINUTES • DIRECTOR: MELODY GILBERT
Comments
Disconnected
Granted it is a student project, but maybe the students need to get a life! It is, of course, contrived—as student filmmakers at the showing readily admitted—but unfortunately it is both contrived and empty. Students play around with giving up their computers (although not all of them really do) and they find it annoying and inconvenient. There is nothing more to the film than this. Apparently it was the only idea that could come up with for making a documentary film. A waste of time and privileged resources….
in reponse to Tom's comment
So I see in your comment that they are students who are playing around, and the film is contrived and empty. Can you kindly and briefly explain what you mean by that? Because I am very much sure that the students would appreciate any harsh but constructive comments from the general public.
Personally I think the film does carry a heavy message that raises the issue of “electronic addiction,” particularly from the voice of our younger generation. I worked in the film industry and I literally live with my computer. Normally 10+ hours a day and I would admit I do “face” the computer screen more than anything else sometimes. Am I wasting my “time and privileged resources” as a lively human being? I don’t know. But what I see is not only the film shows the college students’ obsession in terms of computer usage, but also how the society is forcing everybody to adapt to the technology, which was, to me, solely intended to raise productivity.
It is absolutely true that there is no turning back, but at least for a split second, the film got me to think about my life.
Ouch
What did they do without the Daily Planet?!
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