The Human Surge

Directed by Eduardo Williams in 2016, The Human Surge is a globally-spanning film that explores the effects of the digital age on human connection. The film boasts a fairly unknown cast, led by Sergio Morosini, Shine Marx, and Domingos Marengula, who deliver captivating performances, effectively illustrating the director’s vision of the increasingly interconnected world riddled with disturbing societal dislocations.

The Human Surge is divided into three segments, subtly linked with each other, and set in different parts of the world. We begin in Argentina, where Sergio Morosini portrays a young jobless man grappling with the pressures of his monotonous life. The film then transitions to Mozambique, where Domingos Marengula plays a worker assigned to a seemingly endless task in a maze of tunnels. The final segment takes us to the Philippines, where Shine Marx plays a character deeply immersed in a digital world.

Williams paints an intricate picture of a global society connected yet separated by digital technology. The segments are distinctly different, yet tightly bonded with shared themes and parallels that allow them to weave into a fascinating narrative subtly. Taking advantage of unsettling long takes and instances of magical realism, Williams plunges us into the unsettling, often nightmarish realities of his disenfranchised young protagonists.

Sergio Morosini, in the first part of the movie, perfectly portrays the ennui of a lost young adult. He excels in showing the aimless drift of an individual who has become disillusioned with his life in suburban Buenos Aires. Williams captures Morosini in a long sequence, rarely cutting the camera, which perfectly encapsulates a sense of disconnection from the world. His journey ends abruptly and mystically segues into the next segment - a transition that is one of the film's most memorable instances of magical realism.

On the other side of the world, we meet Domingos Marengula's character, a man who appears to be stuck in a labyrinthine hive of activity. Marengula's performance adds a layer of intrigue, especially with his interpretation of his ambiguous job. His journey also takes a sudden turn, triggering another mystical transition that takes us to the Philippines for the third and final part of the film.

Shine Marx's character, deeply engrossed in an online world, represents the final piece of the triptych. Intimate and disturbing at the same time, Marx’s segment gives us an even more profound understanding of life consumed by the digital age. Williams doesn't shy away from explicit content in this segment that further pushes the envelope, capturing the disturbing lows of the pursuit of digital gratification.

Throughout The Human Surge, Williams uses unconventional camera work and editing to bring his vision to life. Whether it's the extensive handheld shooting, a camera burrowing into the earth or submerging underwater, he employs these bold methods to echo the erratic journey of his characters, epitomizing their disconnection and hinting at larger global problems. This sense of interconnected disconnection is further emphasized by the seamless transition of dialogue from one language to another, hinging on the fluidity of modern global culture.

However, The Human Surge is not merely content with mirroring the societal issue of disconnection. Williams dives into a critique of our growing dependence on technology and how it influences our relationships, exploiting poverty, and the environmental issues that come with it. This is strategically imposed through the background, setting, and some profound, emotionally charged discussions between characters.

The Human Surge is undoubtedly a challenging viewing experience. Its narrative structure defies conventional cinema and demands patience from its audience. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, it provides a unique and engaging exploration of global connectedness in the digital age.

Every frame, every scene, every character intent carries purpose and probes its viewers to query not just the on-screen events, but also their own understanding of an increasingly fractured world connected by fragile digital threads. It is a stimulating contradiction on screen - a critique of a hyper-connected generation yet showcasing characters searching desperately for human connection. This intersection is where The Human Surge works best, establishing itself as a profoundly thought-provoking movie experience.