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In real life

ARTE France - Les Films Invisibles

An absurd documentary journey through a bewildering parallel world

Filmmakers Ekiem Barbier and Guilhem Causse (Knit’s Island) take actor Victor Assié on a disorientating journey: the making of a documentary series filmed entirely within an online video game, with the aim of exploring this virtual world through the guise of an avatar and finding a place amongst its inhabitants. Victor soon discovers a simulation of everyday life, where players willingly assume…

Available on these platforms

  • arte.tvSoon
  • YoutubeSoon

Technical Info & Short Credits

Format
Series
Genre
Documentary
Duration
5x24min.
Screenplay
Ekiem Barbier, Guilhem Causse
Directing
Ekiem Barbier, Guilhem Causse
Producer
Boris Garavini
Editing
Nicolas Bancilhon
Image
Quentin L’helgoualc’h
Colours
Graziella Zanoni
VFX
Pierre Munier
Music
Ekiem Barbier, Guilhem Causse, Pierre Peres
Sound
Mathieu Farnarier, Josefina Rodriguez
With
Victor Assié
Productions
ARTE France, Les Films Invisibles

Unique features

  • A machinima series

    A documentary shot entirely within a video game.

  • Breaking the screen

    An adventure reflecting the growing virtualisation of our lives.

Nominations and awards

  • NominationCanneseries 2025Documentary series competition
  • Special ScreeningsVisions du réel 2025
  • Out of competitionFestival du cinéma de la ville de Québec
  • NominationDMZ International Documentary Film Festival 2025"Verite" category