Strange Beasts: AR Horror Short by Magali Barbè
Magali Barbè's sci-fi short film 'Strange Beasts' blurs reality and fiction, depicting a near future where an augmented reality video game replaces real companions with virtual ones. The film opens as a promotional video featuring entrepreneur Victor Weber pitching his startup: a game that requires a permanent corneal implant to raise fantastical creatures as pets. The tone shifts from optimistic to dystopian, echoing Black Mirror. The piece is written and directed by London-based Barbè.
Key facts
- Short film 'Strange Beasts' by Magali Barbè
- Film is sci-fi, oscillates between reality and fiction
- Set in near future where AR game replaces real companions
- Starts as promotional video with entrepreneur Victor Weber
- Game requires permanent corneal implant
- Players raise fantastical creatures as pets
- Tone shifts to dystopian, Black Mirror style
- Barbè is London-based writer and director
Entities
Artists
- Magali Barbè
- Valentina Tanni
Institutions
- Artribune
- Politecnico di Milano
- NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom