Montreal, get ready to support another local filmmaker this week at the Fantasia Film Festival, with the world premiere of Mark Wiltshire’s most recent short film, My Avatar. Personally selected to work with renowned film director Oliver Stone, who supervised and mentored the editing of My Avatar, Wiltshire employs a mixed-media approach in the film’s production, combining live action scenes shot in Singapore on HD with animated scenes produced in the virtual world Second Life. Additional assistance came from internationally-praised writer/director Todd Solondz, who guided the screenwriting process of My Avatar. The film also co-stars acclaimed actress Christine Ghawi, winner of a Gemini Award for her portrayal of Céline Dion in the CBC biopic.
Synopsis: In My Avatar, a married man finds love in the virtual world Second Life and begins an online affair which eventually jeopardizes his real-life relationship. Dissatisfied with his marriage, Michael seeks out solace and finds it in a virtual universe. As his alias Falcon Luckless, Michael falls in love with an avatar named Gloria Spiritweaver, who fulfills the intimate and intellectual desires he has let lapse with his wife Vanessa (portrayed by Ghawi.) Ultimately, Michael must decide which life he prefers to live. Part live-action, part animation, My Avatar explores the moral implications of virtual affairs and how they impact real-world relationships.
My Avatar screens on August 7, 2011 at Concordia University’s Hall Theatre, as part of the 15th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival. Here is a trailer. Enjoy!
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About the filmmaker:
Born and raised in Montreal, Canadian filmmaker Marc Wiltshire made his first short film Flamousse! in 2006, spawning a cult-following after its wide-release. Having completed a BA in Communication Studies from Concordia University, Wiltshire has lived in Europe, USA, and Japan, where he wrote and directed a slew of short films. His work often depicts dysfunctional relationships combining dry humor with honest portrayals of flawed characters. In May 2011, he completed coursework towards his Master’s degree at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Asia in Singapore. Wiltshire is currently in pre-production for his MFA Thesis film to be shot in Northern Vietnam.