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The Ghosts in Our Machine

Name: The Ghosts in Our Machine
Director: Liz Marshall
Released: 2013
Duration: 93 min

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

2013

Director

Liz Marshall

Runtime

93 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film shifts the focus from human-centric progress to the impact of global industries on sentient beings. Following photographer Jo-Anne McArthur, the documentary exposes the industrialization of non-human life across various sectors. While the film lacks traditional human identity politics like LGBTQ+ or disability representation, it excels in challenging cultural norms. It questions the morality of Western industrial practices and the 'naturalness' of modern consumerism. Ultimately, the work critiques systemic power dynamics. It replaces celebratory narratives of industrial progress with a complex, morally nuanced view of global systems exploiting non-human life.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Ghosts in Our Machine have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film doesn't center on LGBTQ+ identities. Instead, it focuses on animal welfare and industrial systems.

How does The Ghosts in Our Machine portray gender?

Fair

Jo-Anne McArthur stands out as a strong female photographer. The film highlights her professional and intellectual influence within male-dominated industrial settings.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Ghosts in Our Machine?

Fair

The documentary covers a global scope across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. However, specific racial diversity is not a central theme.

How does The Ghosts in Our Machine represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critiques Western capitalism and consumerism. It emphasizes non-anthropocentric ethics by focusing on the experiences of non-human subjects.

Does The Ghosts in Our Machine include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative does not address human neurodivergence or physical disabilities. These themes are not central to the film's focus on animal industries.

Present on Screen

Challenges Western capitalist norms and industrial progress narratives.
Highlights a strong female protagonist in a technical role.
Offers a broad global perspective on diverse industrial environments.

Limited or Absent

Could include more focus on human racial diversity.
Add representation of LGBTQ+ and disability issues.
Explore more human social identity politics.

Official Synopsis

Through the heart and photographic lens of international photographer Jo-Anne McArthur,  we become intimately familiar with a cast of non-human animals. The film follows Jo-Anne over the course of a year as she photographs several animal stories in parts of Canada,  the U.S. and in Europe. Each story is a window into global animal industries:  Food, Fashion, Entertainment and Research.

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