Tech
Russia brings an interactive VR series to Cannes Film Festival
This year, within the framework of the Cannes Film Festival, the Cannes XR VeeR Future Award competition was created. One of the animations presented as part of the project was the multiformat ‘Under the Pillow’, a project by Russian film director Georgy Molodtsov.
The animated story is based on a fairytale by journalist Sergey Molodtsov, Georgy’s father, where a handmade cuddly kitten-like toy encourages children to explore a hidden magical world under the pillow of an old sofa, while also helping them to overcome difficult periods in their lives along the way.
The event to present Under the pillow at the Marche du Film was held in an unusual format. Part of the presentation took place right inside a virtual reality scene, demonstrating how new technologies offer innovative opportunities to be present without the physical barrier of crossing borders. Particularly handy during a pandemic!
“For the first time in a while, Russia is widely represented at the Cannes Film Festival – both in the official and parallel programs. From the films of leading directors to animated series made with VR technology, we had Russian projects of various formats this year” – says Evgenia Markova, the CEO of Roskino, the state body representing the Russian industry of audiovisual content in the international markets.
“As new technologies are gradually becoming part of our lives, industry leaders are already using VR technology very successfully. But there is still a huge space ahead for the implementation of the most daring ideas. Today we see this with the example of a unique animated VR project, which confirms that the combination of advanced IT developments and a fascinating story gives birth to a real work of art. The widespread recognition of VR by the professional film community and by the audience themselves is only a matter of time.’ – believes Markova.
Evgenia Markova, CEO at Roskino
“The Under the Pillow project is the first episode of an interactive VR film at the intersection of storytelling and gameplay. But it was important for us not to create this entire universe that was going to be limited only to content available in virtual reality helmets. The model of the use of game engines underlying the project will allow us, with much less effort than in traditional animation, to create adaptations of this story with the same characters, locations and plots within other formats that will help us to immerse a much wider audience in the world of cat Mormitten. Participation in the Cannes Film Festival program draws international attention toward the Russian animation and film industry and to the possibilities of using VR to create both innovative and traditional projects.” – celebrates Georgy Molodtsov.
This is not the first time that this Russian director has brought a virtual reality world to the Cannes Film Festival. Having been involved with VR since 2015, Georgy came to Cannes in 2017 to display the Russian VR Seasons program. Back then, projects were exhibited in 360 format, only allowing people to watch them with the use of VR helmets. Fast forward four years, projects such as ‘Under The Pillow’ offers completely interactive episodes, which begins its own distribution destiny thanks to a partnership with the Chinese company VeeR. VeeR has bought the first episode for a two-year distribution. But the presence of Russia on the international market is not limited to one animation VR project: new co-productions are being launched, and a boom of virtual (XR) production studios is to take place in Russia.
‘Last year in Venice and now at the Cannes Film Festival, a very important process is taking place for the industry – now VR projects can be watched at the comfort of your home by purchasing a subscription to the virtual exhibition centre. Another option for their demonstration is the organization of exhibitions in partner countries in parallel with the dates of the main festivals. People come to such events with pleasure, realizing that this is not just entertainment, but also art’, – says Georgy Molodtsov.
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