Ellie Calnan talks to head of programming Elie Levasseur about the nine projects competing for the top prize in Cannes’ Immersive Competition dedicated to virtual reality and other new technologies, now in its second year.
Beyond The Vivid Unknown (US)
Dirs. John Fitzgerald and Godfrey Reggio
This AI-driven installation reimagines Reggio’s 1982 humanity documentary Koyaanisqatsi using a video-mapping installation. Fitzgerald’s previous VR projects have screened at Sundance, Tribeca and IDFA. Beyond The Vivid Unknown is produced by Onassis ONX, Agog, Foundry, Pressman Film, and Asteria Film Company. “Here, AI acts not just as a tool, but as a creative partner - one that challenges and reframes our perception,” says Levasseur.
The Dollhouse (Lux-Can)
Dirs. Charlotte Bruneau, Dominic Desjardins
This animated interactive project takes inspiration from object theatre and puppetry to tell the story of a nine-year-old girl coming to terms with how her family treated their cleaner. It is produced by France’s Zazie Films and Luxembourg’s Wild Fang Films with support from Canada Media Fund. “[The Dollhouse] stands as a brilliant example of how interactivity can be seamlessly integrated into a narrative,” notes Levasseur.
The Exploding Girl VR (Fr)
Dirs. Caroline Poggi, Jonathan Vinel
The directing duo returns to Cannes a year after their second feature Eat The Night premiered in Directors’ Fortnight. Adapted from their 2024 animated short, the experience centres around a teenage girl who has been exploding every day for three months. Elie Levasseur describes it as a “bold and liberating virtual reality fable”. Atlas V produced the project in co-production with Greece’s Byrd, a new production arm of Topcut Modiano (Kinetta), and support from the CNC.
Fillos Do Vento: A Rapa (Sp-US)
Dir. Brais Revalderia
The Emmy-winning filmmaker, who has worked on interactive experiences for Game Of Thrones and Westworld, brings a more personal project set in a small Spanish village. “Through its innovative three-wall projection are rare access to the wild horse ritual of Rapa das Bestas, it immerses audiences in a vivid encounter,” according to Levasseur. Revalderia produces via his own New York- and Madrid-based company Cinexin Studios, with Alberto José Rey Basteiro and Maria Fernanda Ordoñez Morla.
From Dust (Neth)
Dir. Michel van der Aa
The Dutch composer, internationally acclaimed for his operas, reimagines the genre with the female vocal ensemble Sjaella. Using AI technology, every performance is tailored the individual visitor, “transforming each encounter into a singular, unrepeatable moment of artistic immersion”. It is produced by the doubleA Foundation and was commissioned by the De Doelen concert venue in Rotterdam, with support from the Netherlands Film Fund.
In The Current Of Being (US-Fr)
Dir. Cameron Kostopoulos
Fresh from its world premiere at SXSW, where it won the grand jury award in the XR Experience Competition, In The Current Of Being is “a poignant VR experience that immerses the viewers in the harrowing true story of a survivor of electroshock conversion therapy”. Kostopoulos previously won the SXSW special jury award for 2023’s Body Of Mine which also screened in Venice’s immersive competition. The project was produced by Kostopoulos’s own Kost outfit and France’s Floreal.
Lacuna (Neth)
Dirs. Maartje Wegdam, Nienke Huitenga Broeren
“A defining example of a new genre in which virtual reality truly shines,” this project lands in Cannes following its world premiere at Rotterdam earlier this year. Blending 3D modelling, animation and personal footage, Lacuna follows the real-life Sonja de Lange, now in her 90s, as she reflects on her childhood during the Second World War. Podium Biarritz and Studio Biarritz produce the project in co-production with Copper Views.
LILI (US-UK-Fr-Canada)
Dirs. Navid Khonsari, Vassiliki Khonsari
Holy Spider lead Zar Amir stars in and produces this neo-noir interactive adaptation of Macbeth, set in contemporary Iran, that “blurs the lines between theatre, cinema and gaming”. Navid is one of the key creatives behind the hit videogame franchise Grand Theft Auto while Vassiliki sat on the jury of Cannes inaugural 2024 Immersive Competition. Lili is produced by iNK Stories, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Alambic Production.
tAxI (UK)
Dirs. Yamil Rodriguez, Michael Arcos, Stephen Henderson
Set inside a self-driving cab, this “unconventional installation” uses an interactive AI system to “challenge notions of human-machine interaction and explore the evolving nature of technology in our lives.” Arcos’s 2020 short Valerio’s Day Out won Sundance’s special jury award. tAxI is produced by nilor with support from Innovate UK.
No comments yet