TikTok, Boom.

Director's Cut

Directed by Shalini Kantayya

US | 2021 | 87 minutes | Color | DVD | English | Order No. W221299  |

Dissecting one of the most influential platforms of the contemporary social media landscape, TIKTOK, BOOM., directed by CODED BIAS filmmaker Shalini Kantayya, examines the algorithmic, socio-political, economic, and cultural influences and impact of the history-making app.

SYNOPSIS

Dissecting one of the most influential platforms of the contemporary social media landscape, TIKTOK, BOOM., directed by CODED BIAS filmmaker Shalini Kantayya, examines the algorithmic, socio-political, economic, and cultural influences and impact of the history-making app. This rigorous exploration balances a genuine interest in the TikTok community and its innovative mechanics with a healthy skepticism around the security issues, global political challenges, and racial biases behind the platform. A cast of Gen Z subjects, helmed by influencer Feroza Aziz, remains at its center, making this one of the most needed and empathetic films exploring what it means to be a digital native.

With this new work, Kantayya, a Sundance Fellow, continues her engagement in the space where technology meets, amplifies, and opposes our humanity. Her incisive, current look at the power and complexity of tech continues to advance a conversation that is bettered by her careful stewardship.

The Director's Cut is the version of the film that is broadcasting on Independent Lens and contains special edits made by Kantayya.

The filmmaker is available for Q&As.

PRESS

"A thoughtful conversation starter."

The Hollywood Reporter

"An impressive scope with its journalism."

Nick Allen rogerebert.com

"An intriguing exploration."

CBS News

"Engrossing…a cliffhanger"

The Wrap

“A great little historical film that reminds us where this generational new outlet came from."

IndieWire

“Sprightly, informative...there are more levels to the TikTok phenomenon than there are to almost any other blockbuster app."

Variety

“...the documentary shows that there’s so much more going on behind the scenes that most of its users aren’t even aware of."

Golden Globe Awards

"Raises many pressing concerns about the power of TikTok and its lack of accountability"

That Shelf

"The film is a story of personal branding versus personal privacy."

POV Magazine

“The documentary, TIKTOK, BOOM. is here to remind you of the good and the bad."

Geek Vibes Nation

"Incisive look at the power and complexities of technology"

Black Film

"Shalini Kantayya's is the kind of film that should be mandatory viewing for the rising numbers of kids who dream of being social media influences one day..."

Slash Film

"At once fascinating and frightening…insightfully explores the social media platform."

Flickering Myth

“Fascinating and insightful"

Splash Magazine

SCREENING HIGHLIGHTS AND AWARDS

  • Sundance Film Festival
  • Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Film Festival
  • SXSW
  • San Francisco International Film Festival
  • CPH:DOX (Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival)

ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)

Shalini Kantayya

Filmmaker Shalini Kantayya’s feature documentary Coded Bias premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. She directed the season finale episode for the National Geographic television series Breakthrough, a series profiling trailblazing scientists transforming the future. Executive Produced by Ron Howard, it was broadcast globally in June 2017. Her debut feature film Catching the Sun, about the race for a clean energy future, premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and was named a New York Times Critics’ Pick. Catching the Sun released globally on Netflix on Earth Day 2016 with Executive Producer Leonardo DiCaprio, and was nominated for the Environmental Media Association Award for Best Documentary.

Kantayya is a TED Fellow, a William J. Fulbright Scholar, and a finalist for the ABC Disney DGA Directing Program. She is an Associate of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Kantayya finished in the top 10 out of 12,000 filmmakers on Fox’s On the Lot, a show by Steven Spielberg in search of Hollywood’s next great director. (10/20)

Credits

Director/Producer: Shalini Kantayya 

Producers: Ross M. Dinerstein, Shalini Kantayya, Danni Mynard 

Executive Producers: Ross Girard, Rebecca Evans, Travis Collins, Randall Lane, Michael Cho, Mimi Rode, Tim Lee, William Rosenfeld, Robert Kapp, David Tomlin 

DP: Steve Acevedo 

Editor: Seth Anderson 

Composer: Katya Mihailova 

Visual Effects: Zachary Ludescher 

Co-Producers: Colin Frederik, Mona Karrenbach, Roland Kassis, Damen Schlanger 

Associate Producer: Erin Sands 

Additional Photography: Shane Sigler 

Additional Editors: Ian Witenber, Cheree Dillon 

 

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