I expected quite a few documentaries surrounding the theme of the 'internet' and a few fictions but I haven't seen that many about this theme, or at least I can't recall that many. Films like 'Hard Candy' has the theme running through the film as this is how the characters meet and is eventually the downfall of one. But I thought I'd go with...
Catfish
I'm not if I'm ashamed to say or happy to say Catfish and Man On Wire got me back into documentaries. I used to watch the odd doc here and there but never really focused and sought out docs until after Uni. Catfish was definitely something that I feel sprang from my generation and now 'catfishing' is a 'thing' now. The film follows Nev as he starts a relationship with someone he meets online. How he 'meets' her is odd, in fact, the entire film is odd and along the way truths come out and things aren't quite as they seem. The film has been criticized for not being authentic and looking back, I can see it but some part of me believes the story is true.
The Fifth Estate
A dramatization of how Wiki leaks happened. The film charts how WikiLeaks started and the relationship between Julian Assange and co-creator Daniel Domscheit-Berg. Unfortunately due to the subject matter, I would have preferred a documentary instead. Sometimes dramatization of these stories don't have the pull or the punch to deliver a good story, especially if its a true one. Julian Assange has called the film a 'massive propaganda attack' and was in email contact with Benedict Cumberbatch during filming. The film obviously doesn't put Assange in a good light seeing the film is based on Domscheit-Berg's book. There's an interesting story but maybe not something for fiction.m
The Social Network
A story about Social Media and a the rise and downward spiral of friendship. This pick combines elements of the first two in a small way. Although this was based on a true story and real people, there was something something overwhelmingly brilliant about the film that I didn't leave saying I wish there was a documentary. Unlike the other two picks, I believe more of the story here. The film follow arrogant Harvard student, Mark Zuckerberg and the creation of Facebook. Together with Eduardo Saverin who CFO and business manager, the two build Facebook from the ground up. But eventually they're friendship and working relationship is tested and ultimately ruined. Such a good film, not without its controversies though. Several people portrayed in the film claimed inaccuracies, including Zuckerberg. But it doesn't matter when the film is brilliant.
