50 million people, we’re told, most of them between 22 and 35, log on to massively multiplayer online computer games (MMOs). Time spent in a realm where you chose your age, gender and body type and are more likely to slay dragons than in your day job is simply a recreational kick for most. But some never want to leave, sleeping at their computers, eating junk food, peeing into bottles. Others get out more, crossing the world for a first personal encounter with the true love they proposed to as avatars. Meanwhile in China ‘goldfarmers’ accumulate points online to sell for real world cash to time-hungry players in the West. Second Skin gets up close and personal with hardcore gamers, recovering addicts, variously game-challenged or game-enhanced couples and one passionate anti-MMO activist. Instigated after the filmmaker saw that a close friend’s game obsession might cost him his job, Second Skin constitutes an excellent, unjudgemental outsider’s guide, richly infused with insider credibility. [source: World Cinema Showcase 2009]
I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
This exploration of the boom in online gaming culture, and some of the lesser known issues that have resulted from it, has the ability to find the comedy in its subjects and their online relationships without losing a sensitive perspective of their stories. At the same time, it explores darker behavioural aspects and contains loads of hard data on the topic.
By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Friday, 1st Feb 2008.
Release date: February 1st 2008.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
