One of the most thought-provoking documentaries on show at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival this year is InRealLife.
The film is by the British filmmaker Beeban Kidron, who is probably best known for directing light comedies such as Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.
Her latest work is of a less frivolous kind, exploring the damaging effects that the internet is having on our children and teenagers.
Kidron says that a generation of kids is enslaved to their smartphones and social networking sites, leaving them unable to form proper relationships, and in the clutches of major corporations.
Speaking at the Emirates Palace, she discusses the message she’s trying to impart through the documentary.
“I come into the argument as someone who was of a generation who hoped the internet would be open and free and democratic. So I was very positive about the technology,” she says. “But the journey of the film is that there are some worrying structural things about the internet and what it’s for.”
She explains that large companies cleverly use “reward technology” to get people looking at their sites, leading to addiction.
“If you extrapolate from that, you have a whole generation of people who are like Pavlov’s dogs, not to the internet itself, but to the technology,” she explains. “The libertarian culture says it’s a free speech thing, but it’s not, it’s a free market thing.”
She uses shocking case studies as evidence for this, including one young woman, who could not afford to replace her lost phone, so had sexual relations with various young men so they would buy her a new phone. She also speaks to a teenage boy who is addicted to online pornography.
She also delves into cases of online bullying — or trolling, as it’s known — and how online companies deny responsibility of it.
“The point I make in the film is that it is interesting that Google knows I want to buy a blue kettle with a whistle on top, but they don’t know a young girl is being pursued online for three years across national boundaries into a place of absolute horror.”
Kidron believes governments need to enact new laws to regulate the World Wide Web.
“Everything about our lives is regulated, from the water I’m drinking to the plane I travelled here on. Delivering services safely is part of the company’s bottom line, apart from in this area,” she maintains.
Kidron, who was recently made a Baroness in the UK’s upper parliament, the House of Lords, is hoping to use her position to exert some political influence over legislators.
Meanwhile, she continues to make films, with another narrative piece in the pipeline for next year.
This, however, will not be a new Bridget Jones film, despite the fact the author of the book it was adapted from, Helen Fielding, has just released a third instalment in the tale of the hapless singleton.
“I wouldn’t want to do this, no. Mark Darcy is dead, so why would I?” she says with a laugh, referring to the fact that Fielding has killed off Jones’ longtime love interest in the new novel.
“But big films like this take an awful lot of time. I have plenty of other responsibilities now, so I think someone will do that. I mean they take two very full years and I don’t have this time nowadays.”
• InRealLife screens on Friday, November 1, Marina Mall Vox 6
hberger@thenational.ae
HAJJAN
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Brief scoreline:
Toss: South Africa, elected to bowl first
England (311-8): Stokes 89, Morgan 57, Roy 54, Root 51; Ngidi 3-66
South Africa (207): De Kock 68, Van der Dussen 50; Archer 3-27, Stokes 2-12
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
How to vote in the UAE
1) Download your ballot https://www.fvap.gov/
2) Take it to the US Embassy
3) Deadline is October 15
4) The embassy will ensure all ballots reach the US in time for the November 3 poll
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
