In a groundbreaking development for Welsh immersive storytelling, the virtual reality (VR) experience, Ôl | Haunts, has made history by becoming the first Welsh language VR work to be selected for competition at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival. This achievement marks a significant milestone, not only for the Welsh language but also for the immersive storytelling genre, as it showcases the potential of VR as a powerful medium for evoking nostalgia and connecting with global audiences.
Ôl | Haunts takes audiences on a nostalgic journey back to 2006, a time when social media and technology were beginning to take hold. Set in Llanberis, a rural former slate town in North Wales, the experience is narrated by Welsh stars Callum Scott-Howells (It’s a Sin) in English and Steffan Donnelly in Welsh. The title and concept, inspired by the co-directors' desire to evoke nostalgia, transport viewers to a time when Twitter had just been launched and young people were quickly adapting to a new world of social media and technology.
What makes this VR experience particularly fascinating is its ability to blend the past and present, using imagery of the youth culture of the time against the backdrop of the dark slate mountains and quarries of the area’s industrial past. The narration, written by Tom Chetwode-Barton, a BAFTA-nominated writer-director based in Anglesey, explores themes of class, regional culture, mythology, and gender, adding depth and complexity to the experience.
The production is a testament to the Wales Millennium Centre’s commitment to creating new work within the immersive field and supporting Welsh artists. It is a co-production between the Wales Broadcast Archive, a National Library of Wales project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government, and Dreaming Methods, a Wakefield-based VR studio. The immersive creative was led by Dreaming Methods, with music by Welsh artists Super Furry Animals, John Cale, and High Contrast, creating a multi-sensory journey that combines theatre, virtual landscapes, and archive footage.
The selection of Ôl | Haunts for the Venice International Film Festival is a significant achievement, not only for the Welsh language but also for the immersive storytelling genre. It demonstrates the potential of VR as a powerful medium for evoking nostalgia and connecting with global audiences. As the experience continues to be showcased at various festivals and events, it is poised to inspire and influence the future of immersive storytelling, not only in Wales but also on the international stage.
In my opinion, the success of Ôl | Haunts is a testament to the power of immersive storytelling to transcend language barriers and connect with audiences on a deeper level. It raises a deeper question about the role of technology in preserving cultural heritage and the potential of VR to become a mainstream medium for storytelling. As we continue to explore the possibilities of immersive technology, it is clear that the future of storytelling is not just about the words on the page but also about the experiences we create and share.
