eXistenZ (1999)

My first task to kick-start the context one: assignment two: visual essay module was by watching the film eXistenZ (1999) , what can only be described as an acid trip where reality is messed with extremely. We weren't asked to write a review but explain how certain threshold concepts are visible through narrative, interactivity and convergence.

Firstly the narrative of the film is full of examples of transformative information, where the understanding of the subject matter is shifted to a different perspective. For example the film deals with the question of reality on multiple levels, we begin to realise as the narrative progresses that eXistenZ is more than just a game, It's a battle between realism and virtual reality. D'Arcy begins to feel that the real world is a mere fantasy and suggests living out his entire life in the game, this shifts the audiences perception of reality, we begin to realise that the pursuit of living out a fantasy's is a way of blurring out reality.

Throughout the film technology is represented as biological rather than mechanical, this could be seen as troublesome information, this idea may shock the audience as the game can be directly plugged into the human body, acting as an extension of the human body. It plays with the idea that technology is more than a tool but the product of are own consciousness. People may not want to accept the idea that technology is becoming a bigger part of human existence.

The final concept I can identify is that of free will, this can be characterised as 'bounded', the idea that humans choose there own paths in life which lead to different outcomes is absent in eXistenZ. Players are given a decision to make, if they go against the game programming they fail.  Life in the game is represented as just existing and progressing, with a pre determined dialogue and actions, this does not allow for free will.

Well that's all I have, It could be complete nonsense! as Jooles said he wanted us to leave the lecture without a clue what we had learnt and what we had seen, and it worked. Hopefully I can elaborate on the threshold concepts in the future and gain a better understanding of the subject. All I know for sure is that eXistenZ is a very unusual film where reality is warped, but is also very interesting and imaginative at the same time.

Maybe I just dreamt the whole film? Is this real?

Samuel Dobson