Mediawan, Atlas V Team With Arte on Sci-Fi Comedy Series ‘Paradoxes’
Mediawan’s Imagissime label has joined forces with immersive-media pioneer Atlas V to create a groundbreaking new series called “Paradoxes.” This surreal sci-fi comedy series will combine live action with generative AI technology and will feature a talented cast including Xavier Lacaille, Zita Hanrot, Nora Hamzawi, and Oussama Kheddam.
Arte France is co-producing the series, which will be available for streaming on its platform, while Mediawan Rights will handle international distribution. “Paradoxes” is currently in production and has received R&D support from Google for its AI elements, as well as funding from CNC and the Île-de-France region.
Directed by Pierre Zandrowicz, known for his work on VR short films like “I, Philip” and “Mirror,” the six-part show follows the story of Roman, a journalist who finds himself trapped in a quantum anomaly in a forest. The anomaly is created by a scientist named Lea, played by Zita Hanrot, who discovers that the alternate zone within the anomaly is actually a manifestation of Roman’s subconscious mind. As Roman’s inner thoughts and memories come to life, chaos ensues, with the army and an unconventional therapist played by Nora Hamzawi trying to contain the situation.
Zandrowicz drew inspiration for “Paradoxes” from the works of filmmakers like Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, and Charlie Kaufman, creating a series that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. This project marks Atlas V’s first original live-action series and represents a new direction for Imagissime, known for its critically acclaimed documentaries.
Oriane Hurard, COO of Atlas V, revealed that the development of “Paradoxes” began a year and a half ago and was driven by Zandrowicz’s exploration of generative AI. Despite its cutting-edge technology, the series followed a traditional writing process, with experienced comedy writers collaborating on the script.
The visual effects in “Paradoxes” are highly sophisticated, with the real world scenes shot traditionally and the inner psyche of the characters created using generative AI. The production also received support from the French Army, who provided access to military training grounds and equipment, adding authenticity to the series.
“Paradoxes” is a culmination of Atlas V’s innovative storytelling techniques and traditional fiction, exploring the complexities of the human mind through a blend of surrealism and comedy. This series promises to push the boundaries of narrative storytelling and captivate audiences with its unique approach to storytelling.
