Fascinated by the way ayahuasca can reveal other layers of reality, director Jan Kounen chose to recreate its potential effects using the technology best suited to offering the viewer an alternative vision: virtual reality. For twenty minutes, come and experience the linear version of this visionary 360° journey through the realms of medicinal plants, all guided by a traditional indigenous Shipibo healer in the Amazon rainforest.
This film, produced by Atlas V, a_Bahn, and Small, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in May 2019, followed by the Arles VR Festival in the summer of 2019. “A mind-bending journey through one of the most mysterious spiritual practices on the planet. Ayahuasca, the vine of the little death. An exceptional opportunity for the general public to unlock a cultural and spiritual mystery.” VR Arles Festival.
Hours: April 6 to 9 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 2:15 PM to 5:15 PM
A French director, producer, and screenwriter of Dutch descent, Jan Kounen is a graduate of the École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. In 1997, he directed his first feature film, "Dobermann," starring Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci. This was followed by "Blueberry" (2004) and several documentaries inspired by his travels in South America and his discovery of shamanism. In 2007, he directed "99 Francs," an adaptation of Frédéric Beigbeder's novel, starring Jean Dujardin and Jocelyn Quivrin. In 2009, he directed "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky," which was screened at the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival that same year. In 2019, Jan Kounen presented three virtual reality projects.