New to DVD this week: WHY I’M NOT ON FACEBOOK
Brant Pinvidic’s exploration of the popular social networking site had its world premiere at Woodstock in 2014. It also screened at smaller events like the SF Indie and Manhattan film fests.
Pinvidic addresses the titular scenario on the eve of his son’s thirteenth birthday, the age when the latter becomes eligible to open a Facebook account – which he definitely wants to have. Just why isn’t his dad on the site? Taking a personal approach a la Morgan Spurlock, the filmmaker joins Facebook under an assumed name, easily amasses “friends” he’s never met, and serves as the constantly on-screen guide through the pitfalls of the social media age. On a platform that pushes users to share everything – even if prospective employers or college admissions officers might happen to see it – privacy, and, at times, common sense, are things of the past. But anyone who has been awake within the last decade knows this already, and that’s the main problem with Pinvidic’s film: there’s nothing new here – not the sociological or pop psychological analysis, nor the silly, tired pranks he stages, such as trying to get Kathy Griffin’s attention with a giant sign or showing up to the home of a Facebook “friend” he’s never met. Why isn’t he on Facebook? Who cares?
what (not) to doc 