EXCLUSIVE: Timing is everything to documentary veteran Ondi Timoner, and the decision to launch her latest film in January, on New Year’s Day, is no coincidence. Premiered at SXSW in March, The New Americans: Gaming a Revolution is a fast and furious look at the post-Trump, post-Covid world we live in and the virtual spaces that have usurped the traditional norms of interaction and communication.
The New Americans: Gaming a Revolution dives into a plethora of seemingly random but interconnected issues to shed light on the current state of affairs. One significant focus includes the rise of citizen stockbrokers, whose actions caused upheaval on Wall Street when they came to the aid of ailing video game store GameStop after its public listing in 2021. In conjunction with Donald Trump’s impromptu party at the Capitol in the same year, these events served as the inspiration for Timoner’s film.
Reflecting on the January 6 insurrection and the GameStop saga, Timoner realized the necessity of updating her 2009 film, “We Live in Public,” which predicted the impact of social media and the internet on privacy and intimacy. The New Americans: Gaming a Revolution explores the effects of technology on our global infrastructure, leveling the playing field and enabling the formation of online populist hive minds. However, simultaneously, it empowers malefactors to form flash mobs that pose unprecedented challenges to the democratic pillars of Wall Street and Washington.
Furthermore, Timoner delves into the American bloodstream, tracing its deep-seated mistrust in the system and its leaders since the 2008 financial crash. The Trump era only exacerbated this mistrust, leading to a heightened search for alternative power structures and the surging popularity of cryptocurrency.
While the subject matter may initially seem academic, Timoner’s high-octane, take-no-prisoners approach ensures that The New Americans is anything but dry. Her aim was to capture the anarchic and riotous energy that drives the “revolution game” in a fun and visceral manner. By incorporating the very memes that threaten to disrupt financial markets and governments, the film immerses the audience into the game itself. It boasts a brilliant cast, featuring cryptographers, white-collar criminals, hedge-funders, and even apes. Together, they provide a thrilling journey inside the world of “the revolution game” while exploring the explosive and irreversible implications of our digital future.
Recognizing the film’s ability to ignite visceral reactions, deep conversations, and emotional debates, Timoner found an ideal distribution partner in Netflix. With the film’s premiere screenings and panels at SXSW serving as proof, Timoner eagerly anticipates the Netflix premiere on New Year’s Day as an opportunity to expand the important conversation surrounding The New Americans.
In addition to The New Americans: Gaming a Revolution, January marks another milestone for Timoner with the premiere of DIG XX. This 20th-anniversary remix of her 2004 Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winner delves into the rivalry between rock bands The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Offering new insights from The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Joel Gion and featuring over thirty minutes of previously unseen footage, DIG XX debuts in Park City on January 23.
The New Americans: Gaming a Revolution serves as a timely exploration of the post-Trump, post-Covid world, providing a captivating and visceral experience for viewers. Ondi Timoner’s documentary delves into the interconnected issues of citizen stockbrokers, political upheaval, technology’s impact on democracy, and the deep mistrust ingrained in American society. By premiering on New Year’s Day through Netflix, the film aims to spark meaningful conversations and shed light on the consequences of our digital future. Furthermore, Timoner’s double celebration with DIG XX further exemplifies her talent for capturing and narrating moments of cultural significance.