Global Expansion of the Virtual Reality Venice Festival
From 2nd to 12th September, satellite events will be hosted globally while the Venice Mostra takes place, with virtual reality works from the Venice Biennale's VR section displayed at Centquirque-Paris and the PHI Centre in Montreal, Canada.
For a decade, the Mostra has been graced by the presence of actors, directors, and virtual reality (VR) since 2017. Venice Virtual Reality, an integral part of this annual spectacle, has showcased a dozen digital works each year ever since its inception.
VR exhibitions in Paris and Montreal
Even during the health crisis of 2020, the Mostra carried on, adjusting the VR programme to conform to safety restrictions. To broaden the festival's reach, a virtual world was created utilizing VRChat to immerse participants in the Venice festival environment.
For the fourth edition, the VR section of the Venice festival expanded to numerous locations across the globe. Venice VR Expanded 2020 is a series of satellite events held in Paris and Montreal. Exhibitions are being held at 104 and at the PHI Centre, showcasing digital artworks to the public.
Films selected for the Venice festival
Two works from French production company Floreal Films were selected for the Venice festival, both multi-award winners. "The Hangman at Home" has already racked up a series of accolades, while "Minimum Mass" received the Cristal for best VR work at the Annecy Festival.
Floreal Films is pleased to present these works at such a prestigious event, as it affirms their commitment to unique storytelling and supporting exceptional talent.
Exploring the Mind of a Hangman
"The Hangman at Home - VR" premiered at the Venice Festival and provides an immersive experience that delves into themes of participation, self-awareness, and responsibility. This story is less about executions and more about the bonds tying onlookers, witnesses, and accomplices. "The Hangman at Home - VR" challenges individuals to consider their role in shaping the world.
"The Hangman at Home - VR" is a 14-minute short film based on Carl Sandburg's eponymous poem and will be made available in 2021.
Love, Grief, and Black Holes
Set to be showcased at the NewImages Festival, "Minimum Mass" transports viewers between contemporary New Zealand and the hypothetical world of black holes. The narrative follows a couple who suffer repeated miscarriages and begin to believe that their children are born in another dimension.
"Minimum Mass" is an interactive VR experience created by researchers and artists, Raqi Syed and Areito Echevarria. Their work is admired in major American productions like Avatar, The Hobbit, and Planet of the Apes. "The creators have utilized VR to elevate the narrative", a testament to their innovative approach.
Floreal Films are excited to debut "The Hangman at Home" and "Minimum Mass" at the Venice Film Festival. Since its inception in 2014, Floreal Films has earned a reputation for discovering and supporting talented filmmakers and immersive experience creators.
Catch "The Hangman at Home" and "Minimum Mass" at 104 in Paris until 10th September. For those who miss the exhibition, the works of Venice VR Expanded 2020 can be experienced online.
EDIT: We were thrilled to learn that "The Hangman at Home" received the Grand Jury Prize for Best VR Immersive Work at the 77th edition of the Venice Film Festival. Congratulations to creators Michelle and Uri Kranot, and the producers from Floreal Films.
"Amidst the ongoing satellite events of Venice VR Expanded 2020, referred gadgets such as VRChat are utilized to broaden the festival's reach, providing an immersion in the Venice festival environment. These technological advancements in entertainment, alongside movies-and-tv like 'The Hangman at Home - VR,' are showcased in exhibitions at Centquirque-Paris and the PHI Centre in Montreal, Canada."
"Exploring the creative work displayed at these entertainment venues, one finds the immersive piece 'The Hangman at Home - VR,' which delivers a thought-provoking experience that spans themes of participation, self-awareness, and responsibility. This mesmerizing creation, a blend of technology and storytelling, underscores the fusion of gadgets and entertainment spaces during the Venice film festival."
