Imagine being a film journalist, finding yourself at two in the morning, seated at a table inside a dimly lit hotel bar overlooking the serene Venice canal. Who else would you find yourself chatting with at such an hour but Harmony Korine, the rebellious and innovative filmmaker known for pushing the boundaries of cinema? Fresh off the world premiere of his latest mind-bending project, "Baby Invasion," at the Venice Film Festival, Korine is still buzzing from the night’s energy. The heat in the Sala Grande was almost unbearable—"like a sauna," he recalls—but the warmth from the audience's endless applause made it all worthwhile.
"Baby Invasion" isn’t just another film; it’s a radical experiment in blending cinema with the digital entertainment that’s captivating today’s youth. Picture this: an 80-minute, adrenaline-pumping experience inspired by first-person shooter games. It follows a group of mercenaries who livestream their violent escapades, robbing the rich and powerful while wearing baby-faced avatars to mask their identities. It’s a wild ride, and one that’s clearly struck a chord with the festival crowd, earning applause so prolonged that security had to step in. Korine, who’s no stranger to controversy and unconventional storytelling, couldn’t be more thrilled. "I never seen anything like that in a place like that," he admits, still processing the surreal moment.
Now, let’s backtrack to earlier in the day when Korine took the stage at the festival’s press conference. Always one to stir the pot, he made headlines with some provocative comments about the state of Hollywood. According to Korine, Hollywood is crumbling under its own weight, bogged down by bureaucracy and out of touch with the creative energy of the younger generation. In a statement that sent ripples through the film world, he boldly declared that livestreaming sensation "IShowSpeed is the new Tarkovsky." It’s a comparison that might raise eyebrows, but Korine stands by it. "He's making four-hour streams. They move at a similar pace. And it's just really, what is a movie? It’s impossible. What is it? It's just anything that's 90 minutes," he muses, challenging the very definition of cinema.
Korine’s fascination with the unconventional doesn’t stop there. He’s become deeply inspired by the entertainment forms that have captured the attention of today’s youth—livestreams, video games, and the like. In fact, right before the premiere of "Baby Invasion," Korine was busy playing "Fortnite," where he scored a Victory Royale with 14 kills. "I was so happy," he beams, his enthusiasm for gaming just as palpable as his passion for filmmaking. This blend of gaming and cinema is at the heart of his latest work, and it’s a direction he believes Hollywood would be wise to embrace.
"Hollywood would be wise to embrace the youth and embrace different forms of less linear media because their connection to their audience is really immense, and they're extremely creative. It's just not in a conventional way," Korine explains, urging the industry to rethink its approach. He’s not just talking the talk, either—Korine is in touch with both IShowSpeed and another livestreaming star, Kai Cenat, for potential future collaborations. This isn’t just a passing fancy; it’s a vision for the future of storytelling that’s more inclusive, more innovative, and more in tune with the digital age.
For Korine, the rigidity of traditional filmmaking is a major turn-off. The bureaucratic hoops one has to jump through to get a film made are stifling, especially for the kind of boundary-pushing work he’s interested in. "If you're not messing with the form a little bit, then what's the point?" he asks, a sentiment that’s driving his current creative pursuits. Korine’s frustration with the industry is palpable, but rather than succumb to it, he’s found a way to channel it into something productive—something revolutionary.
Enter EDGLRD, Korine’s new creative venture that’s been a year in the making. This isn’t just a production company; it’s more like a design collective, bringing together some of the most innovative minds from various fields—game developers, technologists, coders, hackers, and graphic designers. "It's closer to a design collective really. It's just a lot of my favorite game developers and technologists and coders and hackers and graphic designers all come together, and you start to see what's missing. You see what can be built. You dream it up and then you make it possible," Korine explains. It’s a space where creativity isn’t just encouraged; it’s expected.
"Baby Invasion" is a prime example of what EDGLRD is all about. This isn’t just a film—it’s an experience, crafted using gaming engines and cutting-edge technology to create something that transcends traditional cinema. "We're making films now in gaming engines and working on a movie now that takes place in your living room, or in your bedroom. A horror film where the characters pop out of the closet," Korine reveals, his excitement palpable. The possibilities are endless, and for someone who’s always been ahead of the curve, this new frontier is nothing short of exhilarating.
Korine describes his new approach as "vibe-based cinema," a term that might sound abstract but is rooted in a clear vision. "It does tell a story, but it's really meant to wash over you. It's closer to ‘How do you create a digital hypnosis or a tech drug?'" he says of "Baby Invasion." It’s about creating an immersive experience that goes beyond narrative, tapping into something more primal, more visceral. This is cinema that’s meant to be felt as much as it’s meant to be watched.
So, what’s Korine’s challenge to other filmmakers? Simple: don’t think of it as making films. "I would just say clear your mind and try to create a world. And try to produce things that have a feeling," he advises. "See if you could create another dimension." It’s a tall order, but one that’s in line with his entire career trajectory—a path that’s always been about pushing boundaries, questioning norms, and finding new ways to engage with audiences.
At the end of the day, though, Korine’s ambitions, no matter how high-minded they may sound, are grounded in a simple desire: to have fun. "To be honest, I'm mostly trying to just have fun," he admits with a smile. And isn’t that what creativity is all about? Breaking the rules, exploring new territories, and enjoying the ride along the way.
In a world where the lines between different forms of entertainment are becoming increasingly blurred, Korine is not just adapting—he’s leading the charge. Whether it’s through the innovative work coming out of EDGLRD, his bold statements about the future of cinema, or his playful engagement with the gaming world, Korine is proving that the future of storytelling isn’t just in safe hands—it’s in wildly creative ones. And if "Baby Invasion" is any indication, that future is going to be one hell of a ride.
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