Friday is the perfect time to plan a movie marathon, especially if you want to really dive into the world of technology. We’ve put together a selection of five feature films and five documentaries that won’t just tell you about technology, but will also make you think about the future and the present. Ready to dive in?
Feature films
1. “Inception” (2010)
- Age rating : 16+
- Duration : 148 minutes
- Director : Christopher Nolan
- Actors : Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy
This masterpiece by Christopher Nolan combines philosophy, psychology and technology. The film tells the story of Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a master of stealing ideas from the subconscious through controlled dreams. The plot of the film is built around a mission to implant an idea into a person’s mind, which requires a journey through the levels of dreams. The viewer is immersed in a fantasy world where the boundaries of reality are blurred and technology allows for the manipulation of reality and consciousness. Incredible visuals, a magnificent score by Hans Zimmer and a carefully crafted script make the film a must-see.
2. The Matrix (1999)
- Age rating : 16+
- Duration : 136 minutes
- Directors : Lana and Lilly Wachowski
- Actors : Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
The Matrix is a cult film that explores the theme of simulation and technology’s control over humanity. Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), a programmer and hacker, discovers a reality in which humans live in an artificial matrix created by machines. His discovery and participation in the fight for freedom make the film a shining example of the influence of technology on our perception of reality. Dynamic action scenes, innovative special effects, and philosophical questions about free will and fate make this film one of the most important in the history of science fiction.
3. The Social Network (2010)
- Age rating : 16+
- Duration : 120 minutes
- Director : David Fincher
- Actors : Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake
The story of Facebook’s creation explores personal ambition, betrayal, and success, all while harnessing technological innovation. The film’s protagonist, Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), creates a platform that changes the way millions of people interact. The film shows how technology can be both a springboard for success and a catalyst for conflict and frustration. Fincher masterfully conveys the tension between personal relationships and technological advances, making the film still relevant today.
4. TRON: Legacy (2010)
- Age rating : 12+
- Duration : 125 minutes
- Director : Joseph Kosinski
- Actors : Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde
The modern sequel to the 1982 cult classic Tron plunges viewers into a digital world where technology and virtual reality become a battlefield. The main character, Sam Flynn, sets out to find his father, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), in a world full of complex programs and dangers. The film impresses with its visual effects, captivating electronic music by Daft Punk, and an original approach to the theme of human-machine interaction.
5. “Her” (2013)
- Age rating : 18+
- Duration : 126 minutes
- Director : Spike Jonze
- Actors : Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson (voice), Amy Adams
This unusual film explores artificial intelligence and the emotional connection between humans and technology. The protagonist, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), is going through a difficult divorce when he installs software with an artificial intelligence named Samantha (voice of Scarlett Johansson). Gradually, their interaction develops into a complex relationship that raises questions about the nature of love, loneliness, and the need for connection. The film offers a poignant look at how technology can become not only a tool but also a part of our lives, intertwining itself with the human emotional landscape.
Documentaries
1. “Hackers: Wizards of the Electronic Age” (1984)
- Age rating : 12+
- Duration : 52 minutes
- Director : Bob Creekmore
This classic documentary chronicles the birth of hacker culture, uncovering the ideas and principles behind the first computers and software. Featuring interviews with key figures in the computer industry of the 1980s, it shows how the technology evolved from a hobby for a few to a global phenomenon. The film offers insight into the origins of the tech movement and how views on security and privacy have changed as technology has evolved.
2. Citizenfour (2014)
- Age rating : 16+
- Duration : 114 minutes
- Director : Laura Poitras
An Oscar-winning film about Edward Snowden’s revelations of the vast surveillance of citizens around the world by the US intelligence agencies. The film shows the real events as they unfolded on camera, from Poitras’s first contacts with Snowden to his dramatic escape. It is a powerful look at ethics and the balance between security and personal freedom in the digital age.
3. Silicon Valley: Inside the Digital Gold Rush (2013)
- Age rating : 12+
- Duration : 84 minutes
- Director : Michael Shenon
This documentary explores the unique atmosphere and culture of Silicon Valley, the region where cutting-edge technologies and world-changing startups are created. Viewers will see how passion, risk, and innovation are intertwined with stories of success and failure. Interviews with engineers, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists provide insight into the approaches and ideas that are shaping the future of the tech world.
4. The Great Hack (2019)
- Age rating : 16+
- Duration : 113 minutes
- Directors : Karim Amer, Jihane Noujaim
The film examines the Cambridge Analytica case and its interference in politics by manipulating social media users’ data. It highlights how technology and algorithms can influence democratic processes.
5. Upload Me: An Exploration of Immortality (Transcendent Man, 2009)
- Age rating : 12+
- Duration : 83 minutes
- Director : Barry Ptolemy
The film is dedicated to Ray Kurzweil and his ideas about the singularity — the moment when AI will surpass human intelligence. Kurzweil shares his thoughts on how technology will lead us to immortality, allowing us to upload our consciousness into digital form. The film is inspiring and frightening at the same time, raising questions about the limits of human existence and the ethics of technological progress.
Each of these works reveals different facets of the influence of technology on humanity. Now it’s up to you: which films about technology inspire you? Share your favorite films in the comments – let’s add to the list together!