Lithuanian VR film 'Eyes of Shame' selected for Venice Film Festival

Lithuanian director Tomas Tamošaitis's animated virtual reality film, "Eyes of Shame," has earned a spot in the prestigious Venice Immersive program at the Venice Film Festival. The film delves into the complex inner world of a troubled 14-year-old girl, offering viewers an immersive journey through her experiences and emotions.

Tamošaitis, who conceived the idea, directed, and produced the film, spent nearly a decade bringing his vision to life. The animation was realized by artists from Europe, Mexico, and Japan. "Eyes of Shame" is one of 68 projects selected from 26 countries for the "Venice Immersive" program, and it is among the 30 projects competing in the official selection.

The film invites the audience to step into the thoughts of Beakė, a teenage protagonist, and contemplate the various forms of shame that can affect individuals from childhood. It blurs the lines between Beakė's imagined fears and her lived reality, allowing the viewer to shift perspectives, sometimes embodying the character and other times observing from a distance.

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I am interested in how strongly shame can affect us without us even noticing. We know what shame is, yet we often fail to realize how deeply it is rooted within us. It shapes our choices and lives, and it is difficult to escape. The world of a person living in the shadow of shame is full of watching eyes, with no place to hide from their gaze.

"I am interested in how strongly shame can affect us without us even noticing," Tamošaitis explained. "We know what shame is, yet we often fail to realize how deeply it is rooted within us. It shapes our choices and lives, and it is difficult to escape. The world of a person living in the shadow of shame is full of watching eyes, with no place to hide from their gaze."

"Eyes of Shame" is a collaborative production involving Lithuania's "Afterimage" studio, France's "Insomniak," and Croatia's "Minya Film and Animation." The creative team includes screenwriter Emmanuel Rouglan, lead animator Skirmanta Jakaitė, and composer Jonas Jurkūnas, among others. The Lithuanian version features voice acting by Nelė Savičenko, Matas Sigliukas, and Kamilė Petruškevičiūtė, with 14-year-old Upė Tamošauskaitė voicing the main character, Beakė.

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When I saw the email from Venice on my phone, I opened it very slowly. I thought about how I would deal with a 'no' answer. But the answer was 'yes.' When I wanted to read the invitation again, the phone had already locked, and suddenly I couldn't remember its code. I tried until the phone reported only three attempts left.