The Zoomers
The Zoomers is a short documentary that explores the journey of self-discovery and connection among Generation Z. Directed by a filmmaker from the same generation, the film examines the lives of young adults as they navigate the challenges of a hyper-connected yet isolating digital age. Through dynamic storytelling and collaborative activities, the documentary captures a deeply idealistic and pragmatically driven generation's contradictions, aspirations, and evolving identities. The Zoomers provide an intimate platform for these voices to express their desires, worries, and collective experiences.
-
Zane SabuleDirector
-
DocNOMADSProducer
-
Zane SabuleProducer
-
Project Type:Documentary
-
Runtime:16 minutes 46 seconds
-
Completion Date:June 25, 2024
-
Country of Origin:Portugal
-
Country of Filming:Portugal
-
Language:English
-
Shooting Format:Digital
-
Aspect Ratio:4:3
-
Film Color:Color
-
First-time Filmmaker:No
-
Student Project:Yes - DocNomads
Zane Sabule, documentary filmmaker, artistic researcher, storyteller, and graduate of DocNomads Joint Master and Interdisciplinary Arts at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences. Art for her is a method of healing - a ritual of spiritual growth. She believes that growing means constantly changing and adjusting yourself to something new. The relationship between humans as individuals in a cultural context has been the central theme throughout her artistic practice. Zane thinks her practice especially documentary filmmaking is a contact zone, a travelling space of engagement and commitment to experimental and deep listening. She wants to emphasize that we as individuals are much more connected than apart.
Over the past year and a half, my curiosity about documentary film practice has been a search inward— trying to explore different film languages to ask myself, "Why do I want to make films? It is based on my interest in learning more about the world and myself and I believe it has a transforming quality in that - when we search and look for the outward, we find a reflection of what we first see within. I think documentary film practice is an important method to explore more about human behaviour in a rather artistic way. It allows for creative expression as well as experimentation in that way helping filmmakers to craft compelling narratives that challenge societal norms and provoke thought processes. Documentary films make us think, reflect, be present, echo in the past, and give a glimpse of the future as well. I see the concept of generations working in a similar way. The study of generations provide knowledge of how people integrate into the world around them over periods of time, just as documentary filmmaking explores the complexities of human behaviour and societal dynamics. The concept of generation is one of the most known ideas of how individuals create a relationship between themselves
and the society around them. At this point in my life - having the challenge to face another life transformation ahead - I see how being a young adult makes me reflect much more about my position in society. Being on the edge of a generational shift makes me wonder where I belong. Am I really from Generation Z? What is my generation's identity and where is it heading? I believe all of us Genz’s out there are forced to sell ourselves, compete, save the planet, and resent the human impact. We tend to value ourselves only by being productive and likeable but spend way too much time isolated listening to songs about anxiety and wanting to disappear. While social media was supposed to enhance our connections and communication, it often leaves us feeling more isolated than ever before. I think this has created an interesting contradiction within my generation. Fascinated by how we manage our online and offline lives, I wonder how we navigate this contradictory landscape and cope with the expectations placed upon us.