The documentary film The Sandbox, directed by Kenya-Jade Pinto, delves into the intricate relationship between technology, migration, and power dynamics. Premiering in the main competition at the 23rd edition of the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (CPH:DOX) on March 17, 2024, the film offers a critical examination of how emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are reshaping surveillance and control in a global context.
Pinto’s work sheds light on a world where individuals are often viewed as “digitizable and disposable.” The documentary transcends mere technological exploration to engage with broader themes of power politics and the implications of surveillance on personal dignity. According to the CPH:DOX website, the film provides “overwhelming insight into a global black box of migration, surveillance, control, and, not least, the mindset of those responsible.”
Through a visually compelling narrative, the film navigates from the Arizona desert to the drone-policed Mediterranean, capturing the experiences of migrants, rescuers, and border control agents. The synopsis emphasizes that the tools tested at borders have significant implications for everyday life, blurring the lines between the observer and the observed. It posits that “no villain stands at the center, only processes and protocols.”
Pinto, who has a background in human rights law from the University of Ottawa, was inspired to create The Sandbox after learning about a pilot program in Canada that outsourced refugee application processes to algorithms. Reflecting on her family’s journey to Canada based on humanitarian grounds, she became increasingly intrigued by the intersection of technology and migration, particularly in a landscape that is largely unregulated.
The film challenges the notion that technology is inherently neutral. Pinto articulates this idea by stating, “Everything has a by-product.” She highlights ongoing research regarding bias in technology and coding, asserting that how technology is utilized reveals its foundational motivations.
When asked if The Sandbox is a political film, Pinto clarified that it is fundamentally a story about power. She emphasized the importance of understanding how technology aligns with power structures, allowing for critical analysis of its role in society. “As much as we can understand how these tools, AI or whatever it is, maps onto power, then we can deconstruct it,” she stated.
The documentary traverses multiple regions, including the European Union and Africa, addressing the global implications of the issues it explores. Pinto notes that the film seeks to illustrate a complex power structure rather than pinpoint a singular villain. She hopes audiences will leave the film with a more critical perspective on the evolving global order, recognizing the shared responsibility in shaping it.
While The Sandbox has a distinct point of view, Pinto aspires for it to resonate across the political spectrum. She believes that immersing oneself in the film’s experiential moments can foster meaningful dialogue. “We’re not pointing fingers,” she remarked, “but really just asking the audience and everyone to consider whether things are working and if they are okay with this.”
The title The Sandbox reflects both the playful experimentation associated with technology and the serious implications of its applications in society. Pinto has plans to explore new creative avenues, including a fiction project based on a book. However, she expresses admiration for the documentary medium and hopes to produce another feature documentary in the future.
With its thought-provoking examination of contemporary issues, The Sandbox aims to spark broader awareness and debate about the role of technology in shaping our lives and the world we inhabit.
