Two virtual reality film productions from Flanders have been selected for Venice Immersive, the section of the Venice International Film Festival dedicated to immersive media and arts.
The selected films are “The Great Escape” by Jorn Vandenbroucke and “A Long Goodbye” by Kate Voet and Victor Maes, as announced by the Italian organisers on Wednesday. Additionally, three other Belgian co-productions will feature at the Venice Film Festival.
Since 2017, the Venice Film Festival has held a competition for virtual reality creations. For its upcoming edition from 27 August to 6 September, the festival has chosen 69 productions from 27 countries, with 30 competing, including the two from Flanders.
“The Great Escape” features geraniums looking out of a window at their monotonous daily life, with their owner Patrick also stuck in routine. However, as the only one with legs, Patrick might hold the key to helping the geraniums find freedom. Immersion in this space allows the situation to unfold for the viewer.
“A Long Goodbye” follows the story of Ida, a 72-year-old pianist suffering from dementia. Viewers experience a day in her life as her reality gradually fades. Memories and conversations help Ida rediscover herself, while her husband Daniel hopes to maintain their relationship.
Both films received support from the VAF/Filmfonds, the Flemish Audiovisual Fund for cinematic works.
Three other Belgian co-productions are part of the Venice Immersive selection: “The Sad Story of the Little Mouse That Wanted to Be Someone” by French filmmaker Nicolas Bourniquel, “The Big Cube” by Chinese director Mengui Huang, and “Sense of Nowhere” by Taiwanese director Hsin-Hsuan Yeh.
