design, film Film, School, Work, June 28, 2008 3:50 PM 1 comments
The Fit of Existenz
David Cronenberg's eXistenZ (1999) is a near-future noir of virtual reality gaming, genetic mutations and--like all Cronenberg films--a graphic discussion of the nature of the body and its relation to invasion and manipulation. Specifically, I'm interested in the designs of the organic game pods: mutated amphibian semi-creatures with synthetic DNA that port into the gamer's spine.
The bioports are installed in the spine and must be lubricated with spit or a variation of chapstick before inserting the umbilical-like game pod cord. In one variation a minipod is inserted (actually, squeezes itself) directly into the bioport.
A chair used for black market bioport installations.
The organic gun assembly sequence from the mutant amphibian 'special' dish ordered for lunch at a Chinese restaurant. Also shows how the gun bleeds when damaged. See a video excerpt from the sequence to fully appreciate how they fit.
The organic game pods.
There is a non-organic variant of game pods in the film that attach to the wrists and head.
The former trout hatchery turned game-pod factory.
1 comments on The Fit of Existenz
1. Tobias Ottahal | July 10, 2008 1:32 PM
I have got to see this movie now.
I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.—Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)
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