“The Social Network”, 2010
Director: David Fincher
Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, this film tells the dramatic founding story of Facebook, highlighting the revolutionary yet contentious rise of the biggest social networking site and its impact on the lives of its creators.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rashida Jones, Brenda Song, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Joseph Mazzello;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Social Network” on the website imdb.com
“The Great Hack”, 2019
Director: Karim Amer, Jehane Noujaim
A Netflix documentary that examines the Cambridge Analytica scandal, exploring how data has been weaponized for political gain. It raises critical questions about privacy, information warfare, and the influence of data on democracy.
Starring: Brittany Kaiser, David Carroll, Paul-Olivier Dehaye, Ravi Naik, Julian Wheatland, Carole Cadwalladr, Paul Hilder, Christopher Wylie, Emma Graham-Harrison, Gill Phillips;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: documentary, biography, history;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Great Hack” on the website imdb.com
“Snowden”, 2016
Director: Oliver Stone
Directed by Oliver Stone, this biographical thriller is about Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who leaked classified documents proving the extent of the U.S. government's global surveillance programs, sparking a worldwide debate on privacy and data protection.
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson, Scott Eastwood, Rhys Ifans, Nicolas Cage, Timothy Olyphant, Jaymes Butler;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“The Imitation Game”, 2014
Director: Morten Tyldum
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, this historical drama tells the story of the brilliant mathematician and his team at Bletchley Park who decrypted Nazi codes during World War II, showcasing the early foundations of modern computing and data analysis.
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Allen Leech, Matthew Beard, Charles Dance, Mark Strong, James Northcote, Tom Goodman-Hill;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: biography, war, drama, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Imitation Game” on the website imdb.com
“Moneyball”, 2011
Director: Bennett Miller
Based on Michael Lewis' book, this sports drama features Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, the Oakland Athletics general manager who revolutionizes baseball by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players, demonstrating the power of data in challenging traditional scouting methods.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Pratt, Robin Wright, Stephen Bishop, Reed Diamond, Brent Jennings, Ken Medlock, Tammy Blanchard;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, sport, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Moneyball” on the website imdb.com
“Terms and Conditions May Apply”, 2013
Director: Cullen Hoback
This documentary highlights the often overlooked details in the user agreements of popular online services, revealing the extensive data collection and privacy issues inherent in the digital age.
Starring: Cullen Hoback, Brian Lawler, John Palfrey, Harvey Anderson, Zeynep Tüfekçi, Eric Schmidt, Siva Vaidhyanathan, Debra Aho Williamson, Danah Boyd, Moby;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: documentary;
Duration: 79 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Terms and Conditions May Apply” on the website imdb.com
“Zero Days”, 2016
Director: Alex Gibney
A documentary directed by Alex Gibney that details the development and proliferation of Stuxnet, a self-replicating computer worm developed by the U.S. and Israel to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program, raising questions about cyber warfare and the unseen battles fought with data.
Starring: Sergey Ulasen, Eric Chien, Vitaly Kamluk, Ralph Langner, Liam O'Murchu, David Sanger, Gary Samore, Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, Olli Heinonen;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: documentary;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Zero Days” on the website imdb.com
These films are but a glimpse into the vast and complex world of data, illustrating its influence across various sectors of society, the ethical dilemmas faced by those who wield its power, and the ever-growing conversation about privacy and the digital footprint humans leave behind.
In conclusion, films about data have evolved remarkably over the years, offering audiences a unique lens through which to understand our increasingly digitized world. Whether it's the thrilling depiction of data hacking in espionage tales, the introspective narratives exploring the ethics of artificial intelligence, or the dramatic portrayal of personal data breaches, these films have not only entertained but also educated. They prompt us to question our relationship with technology, highlight the potential pitfalls of our digital age, and sometimes offer a prophetic look into the potential futures shaped by data. As data continues to weave itself into the fabric of human existence, the stories we see on screen will undoubtedly grow more complex, challenging us to reflect on the digital footprint we leave behind. These films about data, in all their forms, ultimately serve as a cinematic exploration of the digital dilemma that defines the 21st century, urging us to ponder the balance between technological advancement and personal privacy.
