Saw this at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival
"Fantastic Machine" is documentary about from the first camera to 45 billion cameras worldwide today, the visual sociologist filmmakers widen their lens to expose both humanity's unique obsession with the camera's image and the social consequences that lay ahead. The documentary discusses cool ideas about the history of cameras and how cameras have changed over time from social, political, and media context. Unfortunately, while there are some great discussions brought up, consistency is thrown out of the window with this documentary. It's honestly kind of a mess at times.
The filmmakers presenting media footage of past and present are understandable to demonstrate it's contexts but the film doesn't really dive much of what the purpose is and they don't offer too much that is interesting to be invested with. Discussions about past cameras and scenes were interesting as they present an decent approach on the history but once it starts to dive into modern times, the film losses it's footing and seemingly goes all over the place.
There are moments of scenes and pictures that were interesting like The Arrival of a Train and photography during the 50s. But then there are moments like videos of streamers, modern riots and even YouTubers to feels out of place and have nothing to discuss about. I can see where the filmmakers are trying to approach but it felt uneven and mostly filler.
It's a documentary that started off interesting but falls apart once the second act enters.
Rating: C+
"Fantastic Machine" is documentary about from the first camera to 45 billion cameras worldwide today, the visual sociologist filmmakers widen their lens to expose both humanity's unique obsession with the camera's image and the social consequences that lay ahead. The documentary discusses cool ideas about the history of cameras and how cameras have changed over time from social, political, and media context. Unfortunately, while there are some great discussions brought up, consistency is thrown out of the window with this documentary. It's honestly kind of a mess at times.
The filmmakers presenting media footage of past and present are understandable to demonstrate it's contexts but the film doesn't really dive much of what the purpose is and they don't offer too much that is interesting to be invested with. Discussions about past cameras and scenes were interesting as they present an decent approach on the history but once it starts to dive into modern times, the film losses it's footing and seemingly goes all over the place.
There are moments of scenes and pictures that were interesting like The Arrival of a Train and photography during the 50s. But then there are moments like videos of streamers, modern riots and even YouTubers to feels out of place and have nothing to discuss about. I can see where the filmmakers are trying to approach but it felt uneven and mostly filler.
It's a documentary that started off interesting but falls apart once the second act enters.
Rating: C+