Review of Us Now

Us Now (2009)
Succinct, observant, self-narrating documentary
12 January 2010
"There's a whole new model emerging whereby we - the public - become part of the government."

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Using eloquent and inspiring interviews interlaced with slick aerial, urban, and animated footage and backed by a deep soundtrack of warm strings, Gormley's superbly paced and cohesive film clearly demonstrates to us the massive democratic potential held by the internet.

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"Opacity hides things, but it also helps build the scandals that cause politicians masses of trouble." A significant remark considering, say, the expenses scandal that swept through British politics in 2009.

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The film's subject matter is incredibly relevant to the rapidly evolving role of the internet in our lives today, and the optimism generated in the viewer over 59 minutes is rare and uplifting.

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"We've seen lots of changes in the past that could POTENTIALLY lead to a better world, but which have resulted in, say, First World War trench warfare or genocide in the Second World War. We should, therefore, be careful about having too Utopian a vision for how these changes will play out."

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As an important benchmark documenting the contemporary circumstances and laying bare huge arenas of unexplored potential for powerful collaborative use of the internet in what are fast-changing times, this succinct, observant film will no doubt be as fascinating retrospective viewing in years to come as it is today.
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