Is mankind’s technological progress its downfall?
This very question is examined in the eight-minute film 32-Rbit, as director and narrator Victor Orozco Ramirez recounts his grandmother’s wisdom that the only animal that can make the same mistake twice is the human being.
However, as Orozco Ramirez further navigates moments of his past—reminiscing on the bold and yet naive days of his early Internet use—he knows that this statement may hold true. Yet, on a larger scale it may be flawed. Humans inherently want to undo what we have done wrong. The comfort of technology provides means to do so “easily, by pressing on two keys.” CTRL+Z.
The film is comprised of a series of moving charcoal and white pastel illustrated clips. Traces of viral videos, animals such as rabid dogs, and the all-important invention of the industrial railroad—and the destruction it at times caused—depict the chaotic, often aggressive, progression of technology, and the role we allow it to play in our lives. These clips come and go within split seconds, and are accompanied by unruly, excited music giving a surreal, even fever-dream feeling to the film.
Dramatic visuals and exposition-heavy narrative make this film a must watch for fans of intriguing social commentary.
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Photos courtesy of FLYING FILM FESTIVAL
About the Author:
Margaret Smith is a writer, editor, and critic achieving her B.A. from Columbia College Chicago. Having migrated from small-town Illinois, she now dwells in Chicago with a curious eye for art and a penchant for commentary. When not putting pen to paper, you might catch her about the city sipping coffee and filling in crossword puzzles.
