Unknown Unknowns

A post-factual documentary film about our relationship with truth and reality.

We are currently living in a time where astonishing technological advances have brought enormous benefits and convenience to humanity. However, the emergence of new forms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is forcing humanity to redefine some of their historical beliefs.

Deepfakes are synthetic media (or AI-generated media) that are characterised by producing lifelike representations of reality. These revolutionary advances are redefining the traditional standards of truth or reality and makes one question if our widely accepted media formats are reliable sources of current events. We live in a time where the distinction between fact and fiction becomes increasingly blurred. Every means of communication in which our society is built upon is at risk of being subverted. Furthermore, misinformation and fake news are ever-evolving challenges for democratic institutions as current public discourse already indicates universal discomfort and confusion.

This project explores how design fiction can encourage critical discussions about current emerging technologies and their position in our current civilization. The project introduces Unknown Unknowns, a post-factual documentary-style film that explains the current cultural conditions of the post-truth era. It offers an alternative overview of how a succession of events over the last decades have led our world to its current version.

Using a wide range of media sources including historical footage, advertisements or developing synthetic media, the documentary invites the viewer to question their own perception of the world. It is a call to collectively start thinking about how to re-frame facts in such a way that they make sense and hold meaning for everyday people.