RIDM 2023: Knit’s Island | Review
Knit’s Island provides a captivating and remarkably cinematographic journey into a virtual world, serving as a heartfelt homage to friendship and the intricacies of human connections.
Knit’s Island won the Grand Prize for an international feature documentary at Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) 2023, after debuting a successful festival career at Visions du Réel 2023. This cinematic documentary directed by Ekiem Barbier, Guilhem Causse, and Quentin L’helgoualc’h provides a captivating immersion into the virtual world of the online game “DayZ,” where anarchy and survival coexist in a universe devoid of laws and geographical boundaries. The three French filmmakers, presenting themselves as non-violent documentarians only armed with cameras, spent 963 hours in this game, capturing footage for their upcoming film.
From the opening scenes, the film plunges us into a world that is both agitated and folkloric, where brutality, satirical humor, and communal tenderness often intertwine. The first scenes expose the anarchy and chaos prevailing in this heavily armed survivalist world, a phenomenon exploited by numerous players seeking a virtual outlet to express facets of themselves they wouldn’t dare reveal or explore in reality. The film thus implies the classic idea that the virtual world offers many individuals a means to become what they cannot be in real life, enabling interactions and relationships beyond physical borders.
One of the film’s strengths lie in its narrative progression which somehow mirrors the journey toward human maturity, as in the end, the players we meet are no longer running rampant and killing each other, but seek human connection. The film shows us players in search for a benevolent space where they can reunite, converse with friends from all over the world, or embark on a virtual hike to push the boundaries of the virtual game. As such, the film is a beautiful tribute to weaving human bonds, to the genesis, and continuity of friendship.
What strikes me the most is how remarkably cinematographic the film is. The filmmakers successfully translate an authentic cinematic language into the virtual world, capturing stunning establishing shots, relevant illustration shots, and well-composed frames. The in-game sound design also adds an immersive auditory depth that enhances the visual experience.
However, despite this cinematic achievement, the film’s discourse, although powerful, appears familiar and already heard. In comparison to previous documentaries like We met in virtual reality (Joe Hunting, 2022), showcased at Sundance, one might lament that Knit’s Island doesn’t delve sufficiently into its characters. The final segment of the film, where players finally reveal themselves behind their avatars, comes late in the narrative, leaving the audience longing for a more in-depth exploration of the individuals behind the screen.
In the very last seconds of the film, the filmmakers venture beyond the virtual game, incorporating footage filmed from inside the some players’ homes around the world. These sequences, shot by different players, unfold during the times of COVID-19 and confinement. However, while this narrative layer adds a contemporary dimension, it doesn’t seem entirely necessary, as the game serves as an outlet for many players even in non-pandemic times.
In conclusion, Knit’s Island offers a visceral and immersive aesthetic adventure. It is a gentle exploration into the reality of the gaming world, yielding fascinating results. Despite its limited discourse, this work remains an original and perplexing exploration deserving the attention of audiences for its masterful accomplishment.
