The award-winning, Spanish language sci-fi short film Pixel Theory: La Caja de Pandora (Pandora's Box) is a gorgeous, haunting, and tragic tale about the dark side of virtual reality (VR).

The short is set in a post-apocalyptic future where a mysterious cyborg has conquered the globe.

All of humanity is plugged into a VR landscape where everyone appears as highly idealized versions of themselves.

Everyone participates in a series of deadly tournaments called "Extreme Hologames," which serve to distract the populace from the devastation and destitution of the real, physical world.

However, one man (Javier Páez) defiantly chooses to permanently disconnect from the VR environment after the death of his beloved wife.

His son, Javier (Ismael Fritschi), desperately tries to convince his father to accept the world order and plug back in.

The father adamantly refuses, and both men passionately try to sway the other to accept his worldview. All the while, a dangerous threat approaches that threatens all their futures.

Like the similarly themed, outstanding short Uncanny Valley, Pixel Theory writer and directer Daniel Hernández presents a bleak future where human connection has been sacrificed due to technological sedation - with disastrous results.

Watch the impressive Pixel Theory below. The short is in Spanish with English subtitles ...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1032411232/virtual En un mundo futurista y decadente un jugador profesional de la liga laserball es descalificado y obligado a volver a casa reabriendo viejas heridas. In a future decadent world where the humankind has taken refuge in virtual reality to live their dreams and adventures as the real world falls apart. A professional player of the Laserball league is disqualified during the game and forced to be disconnected for a few hours. Returning to the real world, he is reunited with his father. The clash between their realities reopens old wounds. lacajadepandora.net CRÉDITOS Guion, Dirección y Montaje: Daniel Hernández Torrado Reparto: Ismael Fritschi Javier Páez Mike Galeck Nacho Serapio María Reyes David Galán David Amón Joaquín Molina Javier Díaz Sánchez José Antonio Marín Ramón Álvarez Marcos Guillermo López Ángel Luis Pereira Clara Domínguez Menéndez de la Cuesta Eugenio Blanco Iglesias Alejandro Aldunate Pedro Prieto Muñoz Andrés Borcel Dirección de Producción Amparo Jiménez Producción Ejecutiva Juan Manuel Martínez Daniel Hernández Torrado Jefes de Producción Amparo Jiménez Juan Manuel Martínez Gracia Primer Ayudante de Dirección: Juan Manuel Martínez Ayudantes de Dirección Miguel García Calera Carlos Hernández Sampayo Script: Ángel García Hernández Ana Galvez Director de Fotografía: Arturo Arturo Morales Montaje: Miguel Monteagudo Jefe VFX: Mike Galeck Modelado 3D: Pablo M. Bravo Mike Galeck Diseño Sonoro y Post-Producción de Sonido: Davit Benavent Sendra Auxiliar de Post-Producción de Sonido: José Ignacio Lozano Martín Música Original: Juan Fourcade - “Mundo Real” Archive.org – Mozart Shockwave – Skies of Fire Ayudantes de Producción: Bárbara Santana Gómez Antonello Novellino Carlos Hernández Sampayo Action Designer: Mike Galeck Stunts: Ramón Álvarez Marcos Nacho Serapio José Antonio Marín Pedro Prieto Muñoz Mike Galeck Maquillaje y Peluquería: Irene Flores Laura Madriz Jefe de Sonido Directo: Davit Benavent Sendra Ayudante de Sonido Directo: José Ignacio Lozano Martín Director de Arte: Alejandro Aldunate Cullell Atrezzistas: Manuel Gómez Catasús Marta Gámez García Ana Belén Palacios Diseño de Vestuario: César Alberte Cao Cámara: Álvaro Sanz Ayudante de cámara: Jorge Sánchez-Lafuente Villalobos Auxiliar de cámara: Olga García Ruano 2o Unidad: Olvido Pérez Julio César Tortuero Ana Moya Eléctricos: Guillermo López Alejandrina Zoreda Foto Fija: Arantxa G. COPRODUCTORES: Miguel Monteagudo Juan Manuel Martínez Daniel Hernández Torrado Guillermo Hernández José Hernández Elizabeth Skiadas Silvia Hernández María Isabel Uriarte Lisa Skiadas José María Barbero Clara López Amparo Jiménez Clara Lopez Garcia-argudo Ignacio López Muro Iban Aguera Garzón Antonello Novellino Ismael Fritschi Javier Páez Mike Galeck Nacho Serapio David Galán María Reyes David Amón Joaquín Molina Javier Díaz Sánchez José Antonio Marín Ramón Álvarez Marcos Ángel Luis Pereira Clara Domínguez Menéndez de la Cuesta Eugenio Blanco Iglesias Alejandro Aldunate Pedro Prieto Muñoz Andrés Fernández Ángel García Hernández Ana Galvez Miguel García Calera Carlos Hernández Sampayo Arturo Morales Olga García Ruano Jorge Sánchez-Lafuente Villalobos Álvaro Sanz Pascual Alejandrina Zoreda Olvido Pérez Julio César Tortuero Ana Moya Arantxa G. Guillermo López Davit Benavent Sendra Lola Vintage Mersema S.l. Oceanica Visual Click & Speak Comunicación S.L. Claqueta Final Te vas a Enterar Producciones Alternativa Producciones, S.L. Airsoft Combat Simulation S.L. Cinetel España S.L. Battle Honours Agradecimientos: Judit Casas González Javier Redondo Sonsoles González Romera Teresa de Jesús Romera Fernando Romera Galán Alfredo Ortega Elena Santacana González Eusebio Bermejo José Vicente Luna Martín Juan Carlos Cardiel Antonio Pérez Olga García Miguel Campos Grupo Zomback Tania González Climacity, S.L.

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