Description

AYAHUASCA is a Virtual Reality film in which participants are immersed in visions triggered by a dose of ayahuasca. The spectator lives this through the eyes of director Jan Kounen as he goes on a spiritual voyage in the heart of the Amazon. Through the use of Virtual Reality, AYAHUASCA hopes to stay faithful to the original Shipibo tradition of consuming this plant as a transformative and meditative ritual. As such, the psychedelic journey will be guided by an indigenous South American shaman, Kestenbetsa (born Guillermo Arévalo Valera), who will provide advice and structure for the experience. Motion sensors in the headset will allow the system to keep track of the user’s movement and posture and react accordingly. The visions will either intensify or diminish, ensuring that the film will not be too intense nor too unstimulating. Filmed in 360 ͒, AYAHUASCA’s conceived for HTC Vive, Oculus, or Playstation VR and can be viewed as a 360 ͒ video. AYAHUASCA has been internationally recognized at the following festivals:Best Documentary Raindance 2019, Nominee at Tribeca 2019, Annecy 2019, Sandbox Qingdao 2019, BIFAN 2019, Kaohsiung 2019, Sonar 2019, Sitges 2019, MIFF 2019