Alejandro G. Iñárritu Steps Into Virtual Reality With Short Film Lensed By Emmanuel Lubezki

Novelty or the next step in storytelling? That seems to be the question surrounding the future of virtual reality. There are some who think the technology will be best applied in video games, while others think it’s only a matter of time until moviemakers embrace the format. Well, the only way for directors to tell will be to get their feet wet, and that’s just what Alejandro G. Iñárritu is doing.

Teaming up with his old pal and frequent collaborator, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (“Birdman,” “The Revenant“), Iñárritu will be directing a virtual reality short film that will explore the intense and excruciating experience of a group of immigrants and refugees crossing the border between Mexico and the United States. ILMxLAB, Lucasfilm’s recently established Immersive Entertainment division, will build the virtual world and characters for the project, and it’ll be interesting to see if Inarritu and Lubezki can retain their authorial stamp in this new medium.

So, one to keep an eye on, and is it only a matter of time until we’re all watching movies with head gear strapped to our skulls? Perhaps, but something like “The Revenant” was intense enough in 2D.