Connected: An Autoblogography About Love, Death & Technology
Tiffany Shlain's documentary, Connected, explores the visible and invisible connections linking major issues of our time-the environment, consumption, population growth, technology, human rights, the global economy-while searching for her place in the world during a transformative time in her life. Employing a combination of animation and archival footage, Shlain constructs a chronological tour of Western modernization through the work of her late father, Leonard Shlain, a surgeon and best-selling author. Connected illuminates the beauty and tragedy of human endeavor while championing the importance of personal connectedness for understanding and coping with today's global conditions.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary explores the life of filmmaker Ruaidhri Farrell, chronicling his personal journey through love, loss, and the pervasive influence of technology on human connection. Interwoven with his own story are the experiences of his family, highlighting how digital communication and online presence shape relationships in the modern age. It offers a poignant and often humorous reflection on the ways we connect, disconnect, and redefine intimacy in an increasingly digitized world.
Critical Reception
Critically, 'Connected' was met with a generally positive reception, with particular praise for its intimate and personal storytelling. Reviewers often noted its unique blend of personal memoir and broader societal commentary on technology's impact. While it didn't receive widespread mainstream attention, it resonated with audiences and critics who appreciated its thoughtful and honest approach to complex themes.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its raw, honest, and personal exploration of technology's role in relationships.
- Appreciated for its blend of humor and poignancy in discussing love, loss, and digital connection.
- Recognized for its unique perspective as a family memoir intertwined with societal observations.
Google audience: Audience reception on Google is not widely available for this independent documentary.
Fun Fact
The film was primarily shot and edited by Ruaidhri Farrell himself, offering a deeply personal and DIY filmmaking approach that aligns with the documentary's themes.
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