Flying Cinema
Produced by Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki
Experienced in Helsinki, Finland ~ 2024
The Experience & How it Works:
It’s an audio driven narrative.
Why it’s Interesting, IMHO:
4D films are being expertly deployed, especially at theme parks like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios and EuropaPark. I was curious to see how an innovative nation like Finland is using it a non-theme park, standalone setting.
Initial Impression & Critical Discussion:
The first thing that struck me was the unconventional approach to edits. Rather than try and disguise the edit, these films defy convention, steering the viewer directly into structures or objects and, just when they make impact, cutting to the next section of footage.
The more I watched, the more I realized this was consistent with their overall approach, which seemed—especially in the Flight Helsinki film—to be to try and make it a thrill ride. Upon entering the fortress, a prisoner comes toward us, poised to attack. Then later, when we’re driving, we keep veering into the wrong lane. It seemed odd and unsettling and then, as we drove off the bridge and crashed into the water, I realized it was intentional if a bit unsettling.
At the start of the films, the bleachers move position, and both films, but especially Flying Helsinki, use the haptics of the seats during the screening. The additional sensory elements don’t stop there: the audience feels actual water drops when encountering snow, a lake and a waterfall in the films. Under the projector’s lights, the “snow” water looked like glitter.
Flying Finland does something very cool—it gives the audience, sitting in Helsinki, the number of kilometers that various sites are from the theatre. If one watched the film soon into their visit to Finland, it could be helpful with inspiring which destinations to hit and in what order.
Experiential Viewpoint Expression (E.V.E.):
Embodied, 1st person visual, 1st person narrative, non-entity, mortal
Hot Tips
- Allow a Time Buffer. Screenings are “on demand.” This means that if you arrive and no one’s there, you can go right in and watch whatever you like. If you sign up for something that’s the same as someone who’s purchased a ticket before you, you can go in at their screening time. If you’d like to see something that no one else is in line for, you may have to wait a bit. Luckily, the longest screening is 12 minutes, the shortest is 5 minutes.
- Snacks Available. There’s a lovely lounge area with snacks and drinks that you can wait in or where you can sit and discuss the films afterward.
- It’s a Good ‘Hood. The screening room is near an outdoor market area with food, crafts and souvenirs. Consider procuring your tickets first and then walking around while you wait.
- Go Hands Free. Utilize bag/coat hooks on entry to theatre. The seats move!
Story Anchor:
None.
While there is obviously the story of the audience member attending the screening, there’s no clear dramatic throughline. The film visits various sites in a perfectly suitable order, though not one dictated by any narrative drive.
Pillars of Game:
Voluntary Participation — check!
Goal — to see Helsinki and/or Finland.
Rules — stay in your seat, don’t talk.
Feedback — none.
Conclusion: This is not a game.
Who Should Experience This?
Anyone curious to see an overview of Helsinki and/or Finland. While most audience members will have the opportunity to see the real thing by virtue of already being in Finland, the films give a unique perspective that a regular visit won’t provide.
