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El Barnaverso

In a not-so-alternate universe, a series of commercials promotes the beauty of living in idyllic Barcelona while exploring the futility, vanity, and madness of our absurd times.

  • Sebastian C. Santisteban
    Director
    Bel
  • Sebastian C. Santisteban
    Writer
  • Davit Kiknadze
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Experimental, Satire
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 31, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Spain
  • Country of Filming:
    Spain
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona
Director Biography - Sebastian C. Santisteban

Sebastián C. Santisteban is a Colombian filmmaker and writer, born in Guateque, Boyacá. His work is distinguished by its fusion of dark humor, social critique, and an innovative blending of genres. Sebastián is known for combining the narrative depth of literature with the visual impact of cinema, crafting experiences that are both thought-provoking and visually captivating.

His notable works include the short film "Bel" (2024), a critique of artificial intelligence and social media manipulation; "El Barnaverso" (2024), a satire exploring themes such as gentrification, mental health and cultural diversity in an alternate universe version of Barcelona; and the documentary "Imaginarios, el goce de lo simple", an intimate and poetic portrayal of everyday life in Guateque, Boyacá. His filmography reflects a relentless pursuit of narrative innovation and a blurring of genre boundaries.

In his cinematic approach, Sebastián draws inspiration from master filmmakers such as Federico Fellini, Lars von Trier, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Charlie Kaufman. These influences are evident in his exploration of the human condition through unique stylistic and narrative perspectives, often blending the surreal, the existential, and the profoundly emotional.

In addition to his filmmaking career, Sebastián has published literary works such as "De Rumba en la 51 Vol 2.0" and "El Maluverso or Existentialist Tales for Reggaeton Lovers", the latter a sharp critique of pop culture that also delves into the meaning of life and contemporary madness.

Sebastián C. Santisteban holds a degree in business administration, a PhD in social studies, and a postdoctoral degree in critical theory. He is pursuing a PhD in comparative literature at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (2025), where he explores the use of artificial intelligence in creative writing. His style, inspired by Lacanian psychoanalysis and authors like Samuel Beckett, Louis-Ferdinand Céline, and Jorge Luis Borges, reflects a critical and ironic view of reality.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Susana Negret

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Director Statement

When I began conceptualizing “El Barnaverso,” my intention was to immerse viewers in a distorted yet revealing version of urban life in Barcelona. I wanted to capture, through a touch of dark humor and satire, the contradictions that define the city: its rich cultural and architectural heritage alongside the pressures of gentrification; the celebration of diversity and modernity set against the weight of social expectations; the vibrant nightlife and artistic scene coexisting with profound mental health challenges. Through fictitious commercials and imaginary tutorials, I aim to expose these contrasts with irony and levity, all while inviting critical reflection.

I’m fascinated by how advertisements and tutorials often present us with a sweetened, almost magical reality, even as darker tensions simmer beneath the surface. Each segment—ranging from the Barcelona promotion to the shamanic dance tutorial—exaggerates and parodies the city’s dynamics, humorously depicting everyday situations that subtly point to complex issues like gentrification, mental health, and the search for identity. In that sense, this short film becomes a mosaic of absurd urban encounters, where laughter emerges as a device to lay bare the duality of contemporary existence.

Ultimately, I hope “El Barnaverso” encourages audiences to question the thin boundary between reality and advertising fiction, to recognize Barcelona’s beauty alongside its inevitable shadows, and to accept that sometimes the most irreverent and uncomfortable narratives allow us to explore our own contradictions and fears. My desire is for this journey through “El Barnaverso” to be not only a playful escape, but also a mirror that reflects our complexities and encourages us to seek—and find—ourselves amid the chaos of urban modernity.