Modern Times

Vladimír Turner’s film Modern Times (based on Charlie Chaplin’s 1936 film of the same name) presents „hooverboard etudes“ and focuses on the alienation caused by technological progress. „Modern times have changed dramatically since Charlie Chaplin. Today, given his soulful reflection on the world, Chaplin would probably be dependent on Xanax,” says Turner.

According to Turner, in humanity’s effort to escape boredom and natural movement, it has achieved the ridiculous extension of human limbs via technological conveniences. The main character, a lone figure, strikes out onto the city streets and the wild landscape of the Atlantic coast. He gets into paradoxical situations drawn out to absurd proportions. The performer-tourist discovers some mountains, but in reality he is a lazy consumer who rides on a Hooverboard.

Turner is a good example of an „urban“ adventurer and supporter of so-called microadventureism. Hashtag #microadventure has been expanded globally through social networks by the British adventurer Alastair Humphreys, who in 2011 exchanged long journeys for small expeditions near his residence. He summed up his urban experiences in the book Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes, which quickly became a bestseller.

The strong interest in the phenomenon of „local“ experiences thus satisfies into the current social need for a sustainable way of life and offers an alternative to today’s adventurers, whose desire for experiences is redeemed by their bad conscience regarding their surroundings and the environment.

The film was made with the support of the MeetFactory Gallery and the La Fourmie Association.

Text by Eva Riebová

Read an interview with Vladimír Turner here.