Virtual-reality films are taking hold in a profound way but are "a very dangerous medium", according to acclaimed movie director, Steven Spielberg. As VR makes its mark at the Cannes Film Festival, we meet its detractors and proponents.
Spielberg has been in Cannes promoting his latest feature 'The BFG' and was asked his view on the technology that has got people talking.
"The only reason I say it is dangerous is because it gives the viewer a lot of latitude not to take direction from the storytellers but make their own choices of where to look. I just hope it doesn't take away from the story when it starts enveloping us in a world that we can see all around us and make our own choices to look at," Spielberg said.
But Cannes this year reflects the growing trend of VR in entertainment offerings. Eric Darnell, who has directed a six-minute animated VR experience entitled 'Invasion', expects the technology to shake up the movie industry.
"It's not in my mind just an extension of cinema. It is its own thing, and we have to discover so much about what are the tools in our toolbox. You are the cameraman, so wherever you look becomes the pans, and it really is just a brand-new language," Darnell said.
Virtual-reality films are taking hold in a profound way but are "a very dangerous medium", according to acclaimed movie director, Steven Spielberg.
'Invasion' tells the story of a mythical world that is invaded by aliens who are then outfoxed by a rabbit.
There's much debate in Cannes as to whether virtual reality is here to stay or just a film fad, but Darnell thinks it's the future.
"It's here to stay. Right now, there's this gee-whizz factor, and sometimes it's a little nerdy, you know 'hey it's 3D!' But it's so powerful. You know all you need to do is put a headset on. It's hard to describe what it's like until you do," he said.
Another VR film showing at Cannes is 'Giant', directed by Milica Zec.
Both Zec and Darnell say the technology has a long way to go, but that virtual-reality films will one day become the norm.
