"In American Sweatshop, German director Uta Briesewitz's new psychological drama, every character working at a content moderation firm understands that ingesting horrific images is part of the job. They have all seen the disturbing footage uploaded to social media, and they know how important it is that someone is always there to determine whether those things should be taken down."
"Of course they each got a phone because that's how kids stay in touch and it's part of their social world," Briesewitz recounted. "But the moment I handed the phones to them, I couldn't help but think: Am I giving them a tool that will connect them with the world? Or am I giving them a way to become hurt or damaged in the privacy of our home?"
American Sweatshop portrays content moderators who routinely ingest horrific images as part of their work to keep social platforms safe. The moderators recognize the necessity of removing harmful content but endure mounting psychological damage and a creeping emotional rot from repeated exposure. Briesewitz was largely unfamiliar with content moderation before receiving an early 2019 script draft. Concerns about giving teenage children smartphones informed her perspective about connectivity versus hidden harm. The film follows a seasoned moderator and emphasizes the invisible labor and moral and emotional stakes involved in maintaining the online ecosystem.
Read at The Verge
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