Facing the Dark Side of Digital Innovation

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MOVIE REVIEW
Another Body
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 20m
Director(s): Sophie Compton, Reuben Hamlyn
Where To Watch: available now, find out where here: www.anotherbodyfilm.com

RAVING REVIEW: Stepping into the digital shadows of a new age of technology, ANOTHER BODY shines a light on the sinister world of deepfakes (a video of a person in which their face or body has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else, typically used maliciously or to spread false information.) Through the eyes of “Taylor Klein,” an engineering student at “C-Tech” whose life unravels after she stumbles upon explicit deepfake videos featuring her image, this documentary from directors Sophie Compton and Reuben Hamlyn transcends a mere exposé. It delves into the chilling reality of a culture that not only tolerates but perpetuates such invasive acts, dissecting the societal and technological breakdowns that allow these crimes to increase.

From the get-go, ANOTHER BODY grips the audience with a haunting visual metaphor—a close-up of an eye mirroring explicit images from a screen, blurring the lines between reality and digital deceit. This opening scene is a precursor to Taylor’s nightmare, as she uncovers the unauthorized exploitation of her digital likeness. Fueled by a fierce determination to unveil the truth, Taylor navigates a murky legal landscape where protections against deepfake pornography are woefully inadequate.

The film critiques outdated norms and legal frameworks that need to catch up to technological advancements. As Taylor wrestles with legal and technological mazes, the documentary highlights the dark corners of the internet, like 4chan, where anonymity fuels the degradation and exploitation of individuals.

In a bold twist, the filmmakers employ AI to anonymize Taylor, utilizing the same technology that victimized her to protect her identity and enhance the storytelling. This creative choice not only preserves Taylor’s anonymity but also underscores the paradoxical nature of modern technologies—their ability to harm and safeguard.

As the narrative unfolds, ANOTHER BODY widens its lens to probe the broader ramifications of rapidly advancing deepfake technology. Projections estimate that there will be over 5.2 million such videos by 2024, and the documentary spotlights its #MyImageMyChoice campaign, igniting a global conversation about the urgent need for stringent legal reforms and technological accountability.

The documentary reveals a disturbing legal void, with deepfake abuse largely unaddressed across numerous jurisdictions. This gap in the law allows the rampant spread of websites dedicated to image abuse. ANOTHER BODY also aims the legal shields, like Section 230, that protect platforms such as PornHub from liability for user-uploaded content, further perpetuating the cycle of abuse.

Taylor’s investigation ultimately exposes a betrayal by “Mike,” a former insider in her circle. This spotlights the dangerous allure of online subcultures that glorify digital violations. The film concludes with cautious optimism, advocating for a vigorous legal and societal overhaul to combat these digital threats.

There is a growing wave of legislative action across the United States to curb the misuse of deepfake technology, especially when it infringes on individual privacy and rights. As of mid-2024, fourteen states have implemented laws specifically targeting nonconsensual sexual deepfakes, and ten states have enacted laws to limit the use of deepfakes in political campaigns. However, the pace and uniformity of these regulations remain inconsistent, reflecting a fragmented approach as each state grapples with the technological, ethical, and legal challenges posed by deepfakes. This is one of those moments when federal law should become the norm and override the individual states. Despite these advancements, the overall landscape is marked by a need for comprehensive guidelines, leading to a patchwork of state laws that vary significantly in their coverage and enforcement. This disjointed approach can be frustrating for those seeking more decisive and unified actions against the misuse of deepfake technologies. The slow pace at which some states enact these laws adds to the frustration, highlighting the need for a more coordinated and robust response to this rapidly evolving issue.

Edit: I made the mistake of looking at other reviews, and some of the thoughts on the film made me sick to my stomach. The victim blaming, those pointing all the guilt at tech companies, those saying this is old news (because they’re out of touch and think Photoshop and deepfakes are the same thing,) those calling it tedious, saying it’s too long or too short, saying its unsatisfying, the consistent use of the term “normies” to try and say that it’s okay because people weren’t aware or if, people mad that the victims didn’t want to show their faces, and so on. The fact that these people (the majority, at least identifying as men) feel it’s okay to make statements like this in a public forum is just hard to process.

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[photo courtesy of UTOPIA, WILLA, IMPACT PARTNERS]

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