Utopia 1.0, Annie Berman, USA, 2015

“One of the most startling productions was the superbly executed Utopia 1.0: Post-neo-Futurist-Capitalism in 3D directed in 2015 by the New York film maker Annie Berman. Presenting the digitally created in-between world Second Life with stunning images Berman explores the on-line reality of a utopian community suspended in time and space which was created in the past as a mental alternative to our existence. People express their creativity by living there through the avatars they assume, the creative environments they establish with no boundaries set on their self-expression, in short they are offered an escape from the first life. Yet when Berman takes form of an avatar to visit Second Life it turns out to be paradise lost. From the thousands once existing there few avatars are now visible, building are abandoned, the homes are empty, shops have no products just their images, and the art gallery has only some books and pictures. This virtual reality world could not escape economic constraints. People left this phantasy world after an apparent economic crisis as indicated by numerous signs of real estate for sale. Looking back into the future the assumed identities and lives do not hold. The new means of digital pseudo worlds and self-presentations are socially grounded and cannot be disconnect from our actual experience of capitalism. Her elegant provocative short film is thought provoking, documenting the malaise of our current existence and imagination.” -Claus Mueller, Film Festivals.com