Democracy: Im Rausch der Daten

Democracy: Im Rausch der Daten, directed by David Bernet, is a stimulating 2015 German documentary that delves into the intricate world of data privacy rights within the European Union. The movie offers a riveting, insider look at the bureaucratic machinery that affects every aspect of our everyday lives - even if we may not inevitably always be aware of it.

The heart of the film is Jan Philipp Albrecht, a Member of the European Parliament from Germany, who is a fierce advocate for data protection. As a protagonist, Albrecht, fraught with idealism, wrestles with rugged political landscapes to develop legislation that ensures the privacy rights of more than 500 million people are protected.

Alongside Albrecht, we meet Viviane Reding, a then European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights, and Citizenship. Known for her ruthless determination and uncompromising stance on privacy rights, Reding pairs well with Albrecht as they navigate the labyrinthine European bureaucracy and political constraints.

Supporting their journey is Ralf Bendrath, a seasoned policy advisor, who helps the lawmakers maneuver through the intricate complexities of data privacy legislation, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of challenging the status quo and highlight how every single online action is tracked, stored, and used without users' prior consent.

The film aptly captures the negotiation process that characterizes EU policy-making, filled with ethical questions that surround our privacy rights and the nature of democracy in the digital age. Democracy: Im Rausch der Daten makes the digital data discourse accessible to all by simplifying the process without diluting the complex topics.

From closed-door meetings, consulting sessions, and tense negotiations, the film weaves through the five-year process of crafting what became the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). However, Democracy: Im Rausch der Daten doesn't just stop at being a documentary about policy-making. The film itself is a reflection of democracy in action and its vulnerability in the face of changing technological advancements.

The movie is adept at highlighting the variety of challenges faced during the development of the legislation. The viewer is invited into the fray, exploring the difficulties of balancing the requirements and expectations of big tech companies, lobbyists, and the rights of everyday citizens.

The director, David Bernet, does an excellent job of creating a narrative that is as cinematic as it is educational, transforming what could be a dry and convoluted subject into an almost thriller-like narrative about the digital age and its unforeseeable consequences. The movie doesn't just expose what’s at stake in terms of personal data, but also sheds light on the political mechanisms that govern digital rights today.

Democracy: Im Rausch der Daten is not just designed for tech enthusiasts or policy wonks. The film is for anyone who has ever used a smartphone, made an online purchase, or simply browsed the internet, which essentially represents almost everyone in today's world. In the current digital era with technology advancing at an unprecedented rate, it's a film that everyone should watch to understand the intersection of democracy and the digital revolution.

As an exploration of the digital age's complex inner workings, subtly interspersed with moments of sardonic humor, the film is both an informative and engaging journey. Offering a rare glimpse into the almost invisible corridors of power, Democracy: Im Rausch der Daten underscores the personal and societal implications of our data-driven world.

In summary, as a visually stunning and mentally intriguing examination of our world's intersection with technology, Democracy: Im Rausch der Daten succeeds in engaging viewers in dialogue regarding their digital-rights. It guides us to question the nebulous nature of privacy in an increasingly interconnected world and provides an understanding of the less-visible machinery behind policies regulating our online lives. This documentary is a discussion starter and a must-watch for anyone interested in data privacy and its implications on democracy.