Inspired by the true story of a teenager battling screen addiction, Super Connected started as Tim Arnold’s 26th album and has since evolved into a feature film, theatre show and ongoing initiative to raise awareness about the impact screens and social media have on families.
“There is now increasing evidence of how disruptive excessive device use is on children’s attention, their neurodevelopment and wellbeing. Health professionals and teachers are now speaking out on this. Tim’s fantastic film and music production ‘Super Connected’ and the enriching story behind it, reflects where professionals and creative arts can collide in a way that inspires, educates and empowers parents and children. This wonderful Arts Council tour will benefit every school community it touches and I’m sure will be very worthwhile for all involved.”
– Dr Becky Foljambe, Founder of Health Professionals for Safer Screens
BRING SUPER CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY
“A unique piece about the lonliness of the digital landscape.” – The Times ★★★★
“This production is a warning to humanity about today’s digital age and chillingly the one that inexorably will follow. Any piece of art should have the audience leave with more than they entered the room with. Super Connected definitely succeeds : it is a hugely significant piece of work, containing a vital message, carefully constructed and brilliantly performed. Outstanding”– UK Fringe Review ★★★★
“A conceptual lyrical narrative taking aim at big tech’s insidious footprints on our lives” – Prog ★★★★
“This extremely well-made film highlights the dangers of the Screen Demic very vividly and will be of immense educational value for students. A powerful, true to life story.”– Dr Sanjiv Nichani OBE, Consultant Paediatrician
“On this excellent, consciousness-raising album and film it’s powerful and idiosyncratic enough that listeners might reconsider how they interact with tech” – We Are Cult ★★★★
Story
The lives of a London family-of-four are aggressively co-opted by the internet (the title-track is sung from the viewpoint of the screen-addicted, bedroom-bound teenage daughter) while a sinister surveillance organisation, Picture Sounds, harvests data in order to target the susceptible with its latest invention – a diabolical piece of wearable tech called the iHead.
‘Picture Sounds’ are by spoken-word “advert” passages from Stephen Fry and one glorious behemoth of a rock song, The Complete Solution, with lyrics that sum up big tech’s silent assault on the bond between families.
Super Connected is best experienced, if you can, as a live event in which the film is screened while Arnold performs the songs live. The music works on its own, as does the film. Together, it is a unique and breathtaking experience.
by Charles Donovan (Originally published in We Are Cult)
For private screenings and album playbacks, join here.