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2023 a Requiem: From Turmoil to Transcendence - for flatscreens

While my VR films are crafted for an immersive, 360-degree stereoscopic experience, I understand the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in storytelling. To ensure that my work reaches a broader audience, including those who may not have access to VR headsets, I have created widescreen versions of all my films. These flatscreen adaptations retain the essence and artistic vision of the original VR experiences, allowing more viewers to embark on these cinematic journeys.

In these widescreen versions, audiences can still appreciate the rich visual narratives, the interplay of light and shadow, and the intricate details that define each scene. While the experience differs from the enveloping immersion of VR, the flatscreen adaptations offer a unique perspective, showcasing the films' cinematic qualities in a more traditional format. This approach allows viewers to experience the magic of my storytelling, whether they are delving into the cosmic depths of '2023 a Requiem' or retracing cinematic history in 'Romance.'

These adaptations are a testament to my belief that great stories should be accessible to all, transcending the boundaries of medium and technology. They represent my commitment to bringing the enchantment and innovation of VR filmmaking to a wider audience, inviting everyone to partake in the visual and emotional journey of my films.

"2023 a Requiem" is an immersive VR odyssey that takes the viewer on a profound journey through the duality of existence—contrasting the chaos of human conflict with the serenity of cosmic order. The film commences in the quietude of an apartment, focusing on a picture of a young couple that symbolizes both the intimacy of personal history and the universality of human relationships.

As the evening tranquility is shattered by the distant cacophony of explosions, the boundaries of the apartment dissolve in a maelstrom. The room's windows explode, and amidst the swirling debris, the camera—a proxy for the viewer's consciousness—is drawn inexorably toward a television screen, the portal through which we transition from terrestrial turmoil to the silent vastness of space.

In orbit, the viewer encounters astronauts maneuvering an enigmatic object—a conduit to revelation. With the majestic Earth transitioning from night to day, Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' heralds the emergence of a celestial visage, the serene countenance of Antonello da Messina's 'The Virgin Annunciate.' Her gaze, once confined to canvas, now adorns the cosmos, a silent sentinel amidst the stars.

This moment of sublime beauty is abruptly juxtaposed with the second image: the aftermath of destruction on Earth, where the same face is rendered on a mural amidst ruins. This stark contrast embodies the film's central theme, underscored by the haunting words of Alexis de Tocqueville: "When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness." It's a meditation on the consequences of human actions, a requiem for what has been lost and a reflection on what endures.

Through the cutting-edge medium of Virtual Reality 360 stereoscopic viewing, "2023 a Requiem" offers not just a narrative to be observed but an experience to be lived. It invites audiences to navigate the interplay of light and darkness, sound and silence, presence and absence—engaging with the film as active participants in a journey that questions, commemorates, and transcends.

  • Ragnar di Marzo
    Director
  • Ragnar di Marzo
    Writer
  • Ragnar di Marzo
    Producer
  • Ragnar di Marzo
    3D Modelling
  • Ragnar di Marzo
    VR 360 Stereoscopic 4K Producer
  • Project Type:
    Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Drama, Art film, Psycological, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 11 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 9, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Sweden
  • Country of Filming:
    Sweden
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Ragnar di Marzo

From the peaceful vantage point of Stockholm, I, as a filmmaker, have grappled with the paradox of crafting a narrative about war and destruction—a reality distant from my own yet omnipresent through the media's lens. "2023 a Requiem" is born from this juxtaposition, a testament to my belief that art has the power, and indeed the responsibility, to confront and reflect upon global tragedies, regardless of one's proximity to them.

Conceiving a film that touches on the subject of war while being removed from its direct impact posed an ethical and creative challenge. In the safety of my studio, I questioned my authority to portray such suffering. Yet, it is this very distance that compelled me to engage with the subject, to bridge the gap through the empathetic power of virtual reality.

The process of meticulously modeling a city quarter, an apartment, and the ensuing destruction in Blender was not just a technical endeavor but a deeply emotional journey. It was a way to connect with the harsh realities faced by others and to manifest the chaos of war within the digital realm.

Yet, "2023 a Requiem" is more than a reflection on conflict; it is an exploration of humanity's transcendental nature and capacity for forgiveness. Through the immersive VR experience, I sought to evoke a sense of the sublime, inviting the audience to contemplate not only the ravages of war but also the enduring spirit of human resilience and hope.

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Director Statement

In creating "2023 a Requiem," I confronted the dilemma of depicting war from a distance. The nightly news reels, filled with the echoes of conflicts around the world, brought a stark realization: the omnipresence of war in our collective consciousness. This film is my artistic response, a vehicle to navigate the moral and emotional terrain of representing war through the eyes of one who has never felt its direct sting.

Stockholm, my haven, stands in stark contrast to the war-torn vistas I endeavored to recreate. It was in this serene environment that I undertook the challenging task of modeling the harrowing scenes of destruction in Blender, striving to honor the gravity of war's reality. My objective was not to appropriate the suffering but to amplify the voices and experiences that might otherwise go unheard.

"2023 a Requiem" thus serves as a bridge between disparate worlds—the peaceful and the war-ravaged. It is an immersive requiem that laments our past and present conflicts, yet also seeks to illuminate the possibilities of transcendence and healing. The film, culminating in a celestial embrace, offers a moment of reflection on our capacity for destruction and, conversely, our profound potential for forgiveness and transformation.

This project has been a journey not just through the landscapes of virtual reality, but also through the complex landscape of human emotion and morality. It is my hope that "2023 a Requiem" moves its audience to a place of deeper understanding and empathy, fostering a sense of connection that transcends the boundaries of geography and the confines of individual experience.