Venice Trips Out on Harmony Korine’s ‘Baby Invasion’

Venice Trips Out on Harmony Korine’s ‘Baby Invasion’

As a seasoned gamer with years of immersion into digital realms and a soft spot for avant-garde cinema, I found myself utterly captivated by Harmony Korine’s latest offering, Baby Invasion, at this year’s Venice Film Festival. The midnight premiere was more than just a movie screening; it was a celebration of the boundary-pushing intersection between video games and filmmaking that Korine has masterfully cultivated.


The Venice audience stayed up late to take drugs and play video games with Harmony Korine.

Attending the midnight premiere of Harmony Korine’s newest film, “Baby Invasion,” felt like a thrilling dive into the unique blend of video game and cinema that he kick-started with “AGGRO DR1FT” at last year’s Venice Festival. Needless to say, it was well-received!

Audience members at Sala Grande enthusiastically hollered and applauded throughout the 80-minute cinematic experience that was an experimental film, filmed without a screenplay but filled with numerous layers of computer-generated imagery and graphics inspired by video games, accompanied by an intense soundtrack created by British EDM producer Burial. During the pre-movie press conference, director Korine stated that his interactions with Burial were limited to online conversations via Discord and PlayStation consoles.

As a captivated enthusiast, I delve into the intriguing narrative of a video game titled Baby Invasion that has transcended digital boundaries to become an unprecedented real-life sensation. The storyline entwines with a clandestine group known as Duck Mobb, and a series of unsettling home invasions. Jordan Mintzer from The Hollywood Reporter aptly described the film as “a bewildering yet numbing experience,” suggesting that viewers might either find themselves entranced or disengaged.

At least in Venice, it appeared the audience was filled with enthusiasm. Once the final credits were displayed, they rose to their feet, offering a prolonged applause. Director Harmony Korine, who had donned a devil mask for AGGRO DR1FT, swapped it for a green-striped sports jacket. Upon hearing the applause, he removed the jacket and approached the crowd, urging them to continue clapping. Joining him at the premiere was his friend, French director Gaspar Noé, whose involvement in Baby Invasion has been labeled as “enigmatic.”

It remains uncertain how the film titled “Baby Invasion” will be distributed after its debut at the festival. Unlike AGGRO DR1FT, which bypassed the conventional theater release, being shown instead in several strip clubs as per director Harmony Korine’s choice, the method for releasing Baby Invasion has not been definitively decided. The director mentioned that the version screened in Venice is merely a foundation for what the project will ultimately encompass.

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2024-09-01 02:54