Review-- Face and Voice: The Power of Our First Impression (Directed by Dorothee Kaden)

Face and Voice: The Power of Our First Impression by Dorothee Kaden is a DW documentary that-- as the title suggests-- explores the impacts of first impressions and biases on people. The film opens up with strangers greeting the camera. Some of the people appear to be excited to be talking. Others are a bit shy or uncomfortable. Still others seem largely disinterested. One woman lies about how eager she is to be filmed and you can sense it. It is all part of the theme of the film. The documentary features professionals from a variety of different fields-- including behavioral scientists and technicians.

The Germany-based public broadcasting channel takes us on a thoughtful analysis that explores first impressions and how impact the way we interact with the world around us, especially the people we encounter. The film also touches on the legacy of interpreting behavior and how it evolved as a biological tool for us to survive. It also shows us how we researchers and scientists are using new techniques to understand human behavior. A lot of this research is happening in the development of AI. The researchers take their findings and they use it as an opportunity to explore why human behavior is so complex.

Some of the research and the points that the documentary makes are thoughtful and profound. While I don't agree with the documentary's argument that AI can and should be the predictor of human behavior and states of being...I do think it can be a useful tool to use. If we partner it alongside humans and foster skills that allow us to use it...we can achieve a lot of human insights.

You can access the documentary here.