Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke, whose credits include films like "Still Life" (2006) and "A Touch of Sin" (2013), has said that he intends to make a virtual-reality film next year with a romantic storyline because he believes VR is going to be the "next big thing."
The director, who is known to tackle China's social issues and acts of violence through his films, said the VR project will be a "gentle romance" as people take their time to get acquainted with the concept of virtual reality.
"The speed and direction of movements may make people feel physically uncomfortable, so we're starting with a romantic story," he said.
Virtual reality is becoming increasingly popular in the gaming industry, and now film festivals are also screening VR films. Directors are venturing into the world of virtual reality as it offers a much more immersive and solitary experience as opposed to watching a film in a crowded movie theatre.
VR requires a headset that allows users to experience stories in a different world, either by moving in any direction or by looking around a 360-degree environment.
"I am still learning about VR and trying to understand it at the moment, but I'm very interested in this new technology, which lets us view space from different angles," Jia said. "It also gives the audience more power as they choose what to watch."
