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As You See

As You See

1986

Director

Harun Farocki

Runtime

72 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

In 'As You See', Farocki searches for those instances and facts in the history of technology that have been overlooked or ignored, also exploring the ambivalent relationship between technologies developed for civil use and those designed for military purposes. Thus the film for instance describes how in the 1970s workers at the British arms factory Lucas Aerospace attempted to develop socially useful products to replace the company's military output. Rather than following a linear argument, this essay-film juxtaposes disparate images and weaves them into a mosaic-like structure which makes it possible for the viewers to make their own connections between the different images as well as between the images and the commentary.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.4/10

Good

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. Its focus remains on industrial labor and technological history rather than identity-driven storytelling.

Gender Representation

Fair

The documentary examines industrial landscapes and labor movements. While it deconstructs masculine hierarchies tied to warfare, it lacks specific gendered character arcs.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The narrative explores global technological histories and socio-political implications. However, the focus on British aerospace history limits the visible breadth of racial diversity.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

Farocki uses a mosaic structure to critique the military-industrial complex. The film challenges the morality of Western technological advancement and institutional power.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no information regarding the depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this work.

Strengths

  • Sophisticated deconstruction of Western industrial and military institutions.
  • Innovative mosaic structure that encourages viewer-led connections.
  • Strong intellectual critique of the military-industrial complex.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives.
  • Limited visible breadth of racial diversity within the subject matter.
  • Absence of specific gendered character arcs or representation.

AI Analysis

Harun Farocki’s essay-film functions as a sophisticated critique of systemic power. By juxtaposing military technology with socially useful civilian alternatives, the work challenges the prioritization of destruction over social utility. The film's strength lies in its intellectual depth and its subversion of traditional documentary linearity. It encourages viewers to question the relationship between visual perception and industrial tools. However, the documentary's focus on specific industrial histories and technological processes results in a lack of explicit representation for various identity groups. The narrative prioritizes systemic analysis over individual character-driven diversity.

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