Presented by Cinema Tropical and the UA Center for Latin American Studies,
in Partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in Tucson
Tucson, Ariz. -- Users, the most recent film by acclaimed director and recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award Natalia Almada, will have its Arizona premiere as part of the Cinema Tucsón series, the cultural initiative featuring monthly screenings of Mexican films at the historic Fox Tucson Theatre.
Winner of the Documentary Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival, and a second win for Almada in the same category after her 2009 documentary El General, USERS screens on Wednesday, February 22 at the Fox Tucson Theatre, with the director in attendance.
With a score performed by Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet, Users is a critical and intimate essay on technology and its effects on our everyday lives. The film begins with a mother’s question - will my children love the perfect machines more than they love me, their imperfect mother? She pushes the button, and a smart crib lulls her crying baby to sleep, flawlessly every time. This question guides her inquiry into the intimate relationship we have with technology that is increasingly driving all aspects of our society. Users explores the unintended and often dehumanizing consequences of our society's embedded belief that technological progress will lead to the betterment of humanity. Is technological progress inevitable? Are we all increasingly isolated? Do we really have agency to direct its course? Is technology an expression of our humanity or is technology destroying our humanity?
With dazzling cinematography by Bennett Cerf and an intricate sound design by David Cerf, Users covers places ranging from the largest indoor vertical farm in the world to the perfect artificial wave, from an IVF embryo lab to a fiber optic cable landing. Invisible infrastructure that we all rely on is made visible. Our reliance on machines and our alienation from each other is palatable. Urgent global issues like climate change and privacy are explored from the intimate perspective of a mother thinking, worrying, and loving her children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_aKfscaIfM
Cinema Tucsón is programmed by Carlos A. Gutiérrez and Vicky Westover and is presented by Cinema Tropical and the UA Center for Latin American Studies, in partnership with the Fox Tucson Theatre and the Consulate General of Mexico in Tucson. It is sponsored by Rio Nuevo, La Estrella Bakery, SplitSeed Productions, and the UA Department of Spanish & Portuguese. Media Sponsors are 92.5 FM Urbana, La Poderosa 105.3 FM, and KXCI 91.3 FM. With the support of Film Tucson, Visit Tucson, and Godat Design. Additional support by the Tucson Museum of Art and Borderlands Brewery. Tickets are $6per person. For information and tickets visit https://cinematucson.com/ or https://foxtucson.com/events/
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ABOUT THE FOX
The Fox Tucson Theatre enlivens Tucson, fostering community growth and connections by shaping exceptional, live arts experiences in a celebrated setting. The “Crown Jewel of Downtown” makes memories, makes connections, and makes Tucson proud. Programming includes exciting year-round live entertainment from the top entertainers in the US, as well as community produced events, classic movies, family programming, and more. Beautifully restored, the historic 1930’s Art Deco theatre Fox has become an important symbol of the resurgence of a thriving city center and continues to contribute to the economic growth in the region. The Fox Tucson Theatre is located at 17 W Congress. For additional information please visit www.foxtucson.com or call the Box Office at 520-547-3040.
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