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Compared to other 360-degree video VR films, Zikr stands out by letting you participate a bit in what you’re seeing, rather than just having you sit back and passively view them. It begins with a volumetric, 3D rendered version of a young girl, explaining what Sufi rituals mean to her. And all of a sudden, you’re thrust into the middle of a room, with the girl in front of you and half a dozen women with instruments sitting around you. It’s not long before they’re all performing, with you sitting in the best seat in the house.
Throughout Zikr’s scenes, you can dance to the music, and you’re also given props eventually. First you’ll find a tambourine in your hand, which you can hit alongside the musical performers. And you’ll also end up with a burning bundle of straw, which you can wave around as a devotee dances with two flaming handfuls of straw. There are also hidden interactive features in the film, which will be unlocked when you dance along with the performers.
Much like The Last Goodbye, Arora’s last VR film, he’s paying attention to the entire experience around Zikr. Before they hop into VR, Sundance viewers will go through antechambers preparing them for the rituals ahead. There will also be speakers using spatialization technology to play back Sufi music, which will help to set the devotional mood. While the initial set will be limited by space restrictions at Sundance, Arora is hoping to go bigger for future installations. He’s currently in talks with museums, but there aren’t any firm plans to bring Zikr elsewhere yet.
