The Christopher Nolan film gets a VR short.
The theatrical release for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming war epic Dunkirk isn’t scheduled to release for another couple weeks, but that isn’t stopping Warner Bros. Studio from turning on the immersive marketing machine.
Save Every Breath: The Dunkirk VR Experience is the latest collaboration with studio Practical Magic, taking you on a dark and intense journey through a bloody WWII battle spanning land, sea and air. Three VR scenes in the experience tease the raw intensity of some of the films most emotionally-striking moments.
What’s most interesting about the just over five minute experience is the choice to focus on heavy imagery rather than fast-paced, chaotic action to represent the dire mood of the full film. Slow-motion shots of soldiers killed in action sinking into dark waters, the first-person perspective of a pilot as he crashes into the ocean, a group of desperate soldiers routinely preparing for incoming fire. These moments are made all the more impactful by their choice to trade in action for tone.
Dunkirk’s VR experience launched this weekend with access on YouTube 360, Facebook 360, LIFE VR, and most major headset platforms like the HTC Vive. You can find out more on the official Dunkirk VR website portal.
The 360 experience will also be available for viewing at the brand new two-day VR in the Sky event going down July 12th at the Time Inc. headquarters in NYC. The upcoming conference will cover the latest in VR, AR and MR technology and will even feature a special Dunkirk VR installation on top of the One World Trade building.
The film is set during the early stages of World War II, chronicling the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, France. The ensemble cast is led by newcomers Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, and Jack Lowden.
Dunkirk looks to land in the $30 million to $40 million range opening weekend according to early industry tracking reported by Variety. Even at the high-end of this range, $40 million would be Nolan’s lowest opening wide release since The Prestige made $14.8 million in 2006.
Dunkirk is in theaters July 21st.
