Uku Pacha: Throwback to a VR Conversation

Published September 23, 2022

Uku Pacha at North Quad, University of Michigan, as part of AAFF March 22-27, 2022

A conversation happened in 2021 between me and a professor in my first semester at the University of Michigan:

Professor: Rose, you should take the VR class offered in the Fall semester, it will benefit you.

Me: It’s upper level class and I’m not very familiar with VR, might not be a good idea, for now.

Professor: You won’t regret it.

That was the gist of the conversation which lasted about 30 minutes at the time. I ended up taking the VR class, and guess what? I did not regret it a bit. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made so far.

Fast forward to about two weeks before festival week in March of this year. Filmmaker Diego Bonilla asked me if he will have an assistant to operate the VR visors throughout the week.

So, another conversation happened, this time with Festival Director Leslie Raymond:

Me: I don't know if you decided on what I will be doing during festival week,

but if it's possible, I'd very much like to help him. I'm very interested in VR.

Leslie: That's so great Rose-- Sounds good to me to help Diego!

Me *Reading Leslie’s response*: Happy dance in my room.

Working with Diego was one of my favorite experiences during festival week! We bonded really well <3.

I first watched Uku Pacha on my phone, without the headset, and it was quite an experience! But then I watched it with the headset, and let me tell you: THAT was the experience, one that could not be topped! If you love mysterious films that make you want to hold your breath then Uku Pacha is for you! You will literally hold it till the end. It’s not really up to you. You’ll be immersed within that world, you will unintentionally mimic everyone around you!

I was so excited when Leslie asked me if I wanted to assist again in presenting Uku Pacha for the a2Tech360 tech summit next month. Of course I said yes! I think people would really enjoy the immersive experience of Uku Pacha. I also can’t wait to show it to a new audience and get to see them react to the film!

So, keep an eye out for Uku Pacha coming to Ann Arbor on October 12th and 13th, 2022 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at CultureVerse as part of a2Tech360.

See you at CultureVerse!

Rose

Rose Albayat (AAFF Program Assistant Intern) is a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Film, Television, and Media.