Sustained obsession with upgrading technology has caught the eye of a short filmmaker. Sharu Delilkan writes.
The winner of the UNESCO Sustainable Future award in The Outlook for Someday 2010 film challenge used the contest to get a gripe off his chest.
Allen Shih's short film, Techno Lust, described as "a drama of unrestrained consumerism", asks "How many upgrades do we really need?"
"It was obvious from the get-go that all the members of our Cine Shock production group wanted to create a film based on consumerism. And technology seemed to be the common thread," says Shih.
The 22-year-old from Howick says the script's focus on people's hunger for heavily-marketed Apple upgrades seemed relevant since both Apple and a Foxconn employee's suicide, linked with misplacing an iPhone prototype, were topical when he was writing it.
"I'm a pragmatist. I'm of the belief that if it ain't broke don't fix it. So I find it almost hilarious to watch people camp and line up outside stores to get the latest upgrades. It's almost like the breadlines during the Depression except, this time, they're lining up for toys not necessities."
The founder and director of the challenge, David Jacobs says Techno Lust is a beautifully made film that takes viewers on an emotional journey, urging them to think about the nature of consumption and technology.
"Techno Lust questions whether there is an addictive process with upgrades, bringing a new perspective to the sustainability dialogue."
Now in its fourth year, the challenge entrants must make a short sustainability-related film, any genre, filmed with any camera and any length up to five minutes.
The 20 winning films from The Outlook for Someday 2010 will screen on TVNZ 6, Dec 13-17, 6.30pm and 8.30pm. See: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net
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