The crime saga of the digital age.|Mar. 15, 2015|USA|89 Min.|TV-MA
Genre: Documentary
Description: In the second decade of the 21st century, a critical question emerges: How do we preserve the privacy essential to our society when the internet offers countless ways to undermine it? Alex Winter’s *Deep Web* could serve as an intriguing companion to Laura Poitras’ award-winning *Citizenfour*, as both films explore the stories of men whose lives are deeply connected to the ongoing debate about privacy, legality, and the gray areas in between. However, while Winter’s film, which premiered on Epix on May 31st, raises thought-provoking points, it doesn’t delve much deeper than the surface of these issues. Winter’s narrow focus on the details of his chosen narrative leaves little room for broader discussions about internet privacy, commerce, and the global war on drugs.
The term “Deep Web” refers to the hidden layer of the internet, far more extensive than the portion most people access daily. While illegal activities occur within this space, it also serves as a platform for political and controversial speech that many governments suppress. This makes it a vital part of the digital world, providing a sanctuary where privacy is upheld to a degree that resists interference from corporations and authoritarian regimes.
A key event that brought the Deep Web into public awareness was Silk Road, a platform that enabled the sale of illegal drugs. Operated by an individual known as Dread Pirate Roberts (a nod to *The Princess Bride*), Silk Road was arguably driven by positive intentions. The failed war on drugs has claimed countless lives, and Silk Road aimed to move these transactions away from dangerous streets and into a safer, more controlled environment, even including a review system for drug dealers.
*Deep Web* offers a glimpse into this complex and often misunderstood world, though it falls short of placing its story within the larger context of the internet’s role in privacy and global commerce.
Cast director: Alex Winter
Cast actor: Keanu Reeves, Ross Ulbricht, Cody Wilson, Lyn Ulbricht, Kirk Ulbricht, Andy Greenberg, Nicolas Christin, Christopher Soghoian, Cindy Cohn, Christopher Tarbell
Original name: Deep Web