Documentary
United States of America
All Light, Everywhere is a documentary film directed by Theo Anthony, released in 2021. The film comprises two interrelated narratives: one about the technology behind cameras and the other about the different ways people wield their cameras for power and surveillance.
The film begins with a brief history of the creation of cameras and how the images it captures could be manipulated to create illusions. From there, the story moves onto present-day police body camera programs, which are supposed to be used to keep law enforcement accountable but often lead to controversy due to their misuse or lack of transparency. The film also explores how cameras and the images they produce can be used to oppress certain groups of people.
The second narrative of the film focuses on the role of cameras in shaping our understanding of reality. The film takes an abstract and theoretical approach as it explores how our perceptions of the world are impacted by the tools we use to see it. The film raises questions about how deeply digital imagery is embedded in our culture, and how virtual realities are changing our perceptions of the world around us.
Throughout the film, the director uses various techniques to underscore the themes and ideas he is exploring, including experimental visual effects and a voice-over narration that highlights how the camera is a tool of power and control that shapes meaning. Ultimately, All Light, Everywhere offers a thought-provoking meditation on how we shape the world with our cameras, and how the images we create hold power over us.
