This May on the Croisette, worlds converge as cinema embraces video games not merely as a technological novelty but as an independent narrative art form. To facilitate this dialogue, the Cannes Film Festival has meticulously selected its participants: Hideo Kojima and Fatih Akin, both renowned for their storytelling expertise, will engage in a distinguished conversation that could be considered a masterclass. Kojima is celebrated as a visionary author of the Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding series, with the highly anticipated sequel “Death Stranding 2 On The Beach” scheduled for June 24, 2025. Akin, an acclaimed German filmmaker from Europe, has received accolades including the Palme d’Or for Best Screenplay at Cannes for “From the Other Side,” and the Berlin Bear for “Amrum.” While their domains appear distinct, they share a common ground: to narrate, deconstruct, and reconstruct stories using technological tools that redefine the boundaries of their respective fields.
Captured Performance vs Lived Performance: This exchange promises an engaging face-off between Hideo Kojima, the master of digital performance who has directed actors such as Lea Seydoux, Norman Reedus, and Mads Mikkelsen through motion capture, and Fatih Akin, a filmmaker known for his emotionally raw approach. Notably, Fatih Akin will also appear in Death Stranding 2 as Dollman, an eccentric and talkative doll capable of providing enemy position hints. This casting decision serves not only to enhance the narrative but also acts as a bridge between Kojima’s digital world and Akin’s cinematic one. Their discussion will further delve into how technology impacts narrative structures, offering both liberation and constraints.
This face-to-face promises an engaging exchange, driven by two creators who never do things halfway. At Cannes, other languages are embraced – and video games enter through the main door. Without cinematic conventions or controllers, just with the essentials: narrative as a revelation.
