Our project 'Underground Shelter' has been selected for the prestigious IDFA DocLab Forum. This Virtual Reality Film takes viewers to the underground where Ukrainians have taken shelter since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Underground Shelter is a collaboration between director Sjors Swierstra, Hans Jaap Melissen and Virtual Reality studio Scopic, in partnership with Ukrainian producer Ivanna Khitsinka (BABYLON'13) and Line Producer Alena Stuliy (Sensorama). This Virtual Reality Film immerses viewers in the war shelters of Ukraine, where life continues as well as possible despite the constant threat of violence. It reminds us that war is a harsh reality for many, while we in the Netherlands have been living in peace for decades.
With the support of the Dutch Film Fund, war correspondent Hans Jaap Melissen and Ukrainian filmmaker Nicholas But have experimented with 360° recordings in Ukraine. There is a possibility that the film will be shown in various underground locations in the Netherlands, where physical and virtual worlds come together to create an impressive cinematic experience. From cellars to subway tubes and Cold War-era atomic bunkers - these venues will transport you to the shelters in Ukraine and give you a sense of what it is like to live in an underground shelter.
Air raid sirens are sounding continuously. Underground, in metros, barracks, and the cellars of hospitals, schools, churches, and factories, life continues.
Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that immerses you in a digital world and provides an immersive experience. Unlike traditional films or videos, VR places the viewer right in the middle of the action using a special headset. This gives you the feeling of actually being in that location, which creates a sense of control over what you see and a greater involvement in the story.
The DocLab Forum is part of IDFA, a leading documentary festival that provides a platform for new media projects. The forum is designed to present projects to potential partners, receive feedback, and explore new opportunities. Underground Shelter will be presented to a panel consisting of three representatives from the new media industry, as well as professionals from the sector.Praktische informatie
The DocLab Forum takes place on Monday, November 13, and Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Felix Meritis in Amsterdam.
Scopic is honored to be a part of the DocLab IDFA Forum and looks forward to the opportunities to further develop Underground Shelter and enter into new partnerships. For more information about the project, you can visit the website of Underground Shelter or check out ScopicLabs.