How Online Life Distorts Our True Selves

Read Time:3 Minute, 58 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Behind the Scenes
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Genre: Comedy, Drama, Short
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 20m
Director(s): Valentina El Harizi
Writer(s): Valentina El Harizi
Cast: Valentina El Harizi, Max Johnson
Where To Watch: debuting at the 2024 DIFF Shorts Film Festival www.diffshorts2024.eventive.org

RAVING REVIEW: With an unparalleled reality, BEHIND THE SCENES, helmed by the visionary young filmmaker Valentina El Harizi, stands as a potent critique of the modern digital world's veneer. Through the story of a young French-American couple, El Harizi captures the unsettling clash between online perfection and reality. As their idyllic relationship, once bright and promising, succumbs to the strain of social media obsession, the film unfolds into a profound exploration of identity and intimacy in our digital era.

El Harizi's narrative eye shines as she disrupts traditional film norms, infusing BEHIND THE SCENES with innovative visual and audio design. The deliberate inclusion of the world around these characters in an almost documentary style reinforces the film's thematic focus on the artificiality pervading our online existence. The seamless interplay of French and English dialogues not only nods to her bicultural upbringing but also mirrors the universal reach of social media’s influence.

El Harizi employs a distinctive cinematic technique in BEHIND THE SCENES. The film uses reflections and mirrors to symbolize the duality and conflict between the film's portrayed digital personas and the characters' true selves. This visual motif enriches the narrative, offering a layered and nuanced perspective that encourages the audience to consider the discrepancies between public perception and private reality.

The film's progression reveals the female protagonist's (played by El Harizi) fixation with capturing and curating every moment for social media followers gradually eclipses the couple's real-life connection. This digital obsession pushes their relationship to the brink, portraying how virtual lives can overshadow reality, skewing perceptions and priorities.

More than a narrative about romantic decay, BEHIND THE SCENES questions the broader implications of our collective digital obsession. The film challenges its audience to scrutinize the authenticity of online interactions against the backdrop of genuine experiences. El Harizi not only directs but also engages in a critical dialogue about the digital age’s pitfalls, particularly the problem of screen addiction. This dual narrative serves as a story and a rallying cry for a more grounded interaction with our digital devices.

El Harizi's commitment to sparking change is underscored through the film’s partnership with Reboot & Recover, a non-profit that addresses screen addiction. This collaboration highlights the film’s dedication to portraying problems and actively participating in their solutions. Furthermore, El Harizi's concluding plea against the manipulative nature of social media platforms emphasizes her role as a filmmaker and proactive advocate for reform.

El Harizi's debut transcends the scope of typical directorial efforts, marking her as a critical voice against the cultural currents of our time. BEHIND THE SCENES compels viewers to reflect on the actual costs of online validation and the potential hollowness of digitally mediated perfection. It encourages a discernment between social media's enticing yet superficial allure and the substantial value of authentic, unfiltered human connections.

This film not only captivates but also educates and inspires introspection, positioning itself as essential for anyone navigating the complexities of our increasingly digital world. It's a vivid reminder of the importance of maintaining authenticity in a landscape dominated by curated personas. I can’t wait to see what El Harizi tackles next; although the film only had a 20-minute runtime, so much is being said in that timeframe.

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[photo courtesy of BLANK PRODUCTIONS]

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