The rise of disinformation and malinformation. Online gender-based violence and non-consensual sharing of intimate images on the internet. Online surveillance and data privacy issues. Blatant attacks and repression of artists, journalists, activists, and members of minority groups. The push for data sovereignty and decentralized data flow.
These issues and more are featured in a collection of eight films under EngageMedia’s “Tech Tales: Films about Digital Rights in the Asia-Pacific” which was launched last October 30 in line with the international celebration of the World Internet Day.
EngageMedia is “a non-profit media, technology, and culture organization that uses the power of video, the internet, and open technologies to create social and environmental change.”
Putting the spotlight on human rights stories of ordinary citizens, journalists, and activists pushing back against state and corporate overreach in the digital age are Richard Soriano Legaspi (Philippines), Annisa Adjam (Indonesia), Varun Kurtkoti (India), Andrew Garton (Australia), Yihwen Chen (Malaysia), Jackson Brook (Cambodia), Vijitra Duangdee (Thailand), and a filmmaker from Myanmar whose identity has been withheld for security purposes.
They are among the more than 100 filmmakers, video journalists, and animators who heeded EngageMedia’s call to submit a proposal for a short film project on pressing digital rights issues currently happening in their respective countries. The fellows were selected after a lengthy competitive process.
Apart from sharing their experiences creating the films in the middle of a global pandemic, the filmmakers spoke about their hopes to start the conversation for change and inspire collective action at the Tech Tales launch. The first public screening of the films was attended by more than 80 digital rights advocates, activists, and their fellow filmmakers from the region.
EngageMedia Video Lead King Catoy revealed that “Tech Tales’ basic premise is that there are hardly any films that document and introduce digital rights and digital security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Executive Director Andrew Lowenthal described that the film collection arrives at an opportune time when governments and companies are threatening freedom of speech, expression, and assembly to extend their reach and powers while people have become increasingly dependent on technology.
“The amazing Tech Tales filmmakers have brought great color and detail to these critical issues, and to the civil society movements pushing for human rights and democracy both on and offline,” Lowenthal said, as he stressed that digital rights are one of the most important social issues in the region today.
Catoy agreed, “Tech Tales is a very timely intervention into the alarmingly common assault on our fundamental rights to data privacy, information, free expression, and digital sovereignty by governments, companies and other nefarious forces that seek to dominate and profit off our digital lives.”
They hope that Tech Tales will inspire others to explore creative ways to protect against violations of these rights. The filmmakers, who emphasized urgent digital rights issues in their works, collectively aimed to expose attempts to deceive the public and hide violations through disinformation tactics.
Legaspi revealed that his film “Panulukan” (Crossroads) serves as a tribute to his brother, a victim of the Philippine government’s controversial war on drugs, and “how our community was deceived by social media about this bloody campaign.”
In Legaspi’s film, a ride back to Manila at a time of lies and deception turns out to be a journey through dividing views. Four characters—two paid government trolls and two vocal critics of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs—argue as they sit on opposite sides of the campaign. On their way home to Manila, the truth confronts them and their choices.
Adjam, who is behind the animation “My Clouded Mind,” envisioned the style of her film to raise awareness about the sensitive topic of online gender-based violence in a meaningful yet creative way.
Meanwhile, Kurtkoti hoped that “Appa and His Invisible Mundu,” his animated film, “initiates conversations between family and friends regarding the impact of data policies on us on a daily basis.”
Garton (“Peer to Peer”) also expressed hope that the stories of the social justice pioneers featured in his documentary may inspire people to “help us save the internet from its bias against facts and critical thinking that so much of it has become.”
On the other hand, Chen wished the audience to become more aware of their digital rights and take action to express their concerns after watching her film “The Offensive Internet.”
Brook, who shared the story of Cambodian rapper Kea Sokun in his film “Not Love Songs,” was “really moved” by how Sokun’s family came together to speak out against the rapper’s arrest and “found their own voices to deal with this injustice.”
Duangdee, who directed “Pattani Calling,” said, “Human rights are being squeezed and those in power are increasingly using technology to control the public. So, it’s up to us as a public to educate ourselves and argue back against the repressive use of tech or face new realities which are too late to change.”
The anonymous filmmaker behind “Black Out” told the story of one activist family in Myanmar looking to find credible information in the aftermath of the February 2021 military coup.
Despite the films focusing on unique stories from specific countries, they also showed similarities in the experiences and threats to freedom of expression that the region is facing. The organizers called for a stronger regional collaboration in championing digital rights and challenging the rising state repression and restrictive measures due to the pandemic.
Although the films serve as a first step to raise public awareness, the filmmakers believe that this can eventually lead the audience to turn a critical eye on problems that many countries are currently facing and engage in meaningful action, hopefully a pushback against repressive measures.
EngageMedia also announced the upcoming community screenings to be held in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Mongolia. Among the confirmed screening partners are the UP Internet Freedom Network, Bulatlat.com, Jakarta Feminist, Nest Center, Documentary Club Thailand, and 100% Manusia Film Festival.
The organization is looking for screening and media partners to ensure that the film collection can reach more audiences. Interested groups can visit their website (https://engagemedia.org/projects/tech-tales/) to partner with them for screenings, talkbacks, workshops, and other collaborations.