Alain Della Negra - The Cat, The Reverend, and The Slave: Discussion

What does it mean to live in a reality of your own making? This strange, chilling and compelling documentary explores this questions by following three members of “Second Life” who reincarnated themselves into a world created out of fantasy in which they have complete control. Kris is a Gorean Master, controlling his sex slaves from his own bedroom. Benjamin has an enormous religious following, preaching sermons to an adoring crowd. Markus is a cat, the way he has always seen himself. By the end of this award winning documentary, the lines between fantasy and reality become blurred and obscured, and its subjects must reconcile between the world created in their minds and the realities of everyday life.

Discussion Topics will include; mental health & video games; video games addiction & “gaming disorder”; mental distress; how to maintain a healthy mind; solitude in contemporary world, relationships, social lives; self-help skills to maintain good mental health and wellbeing

Alain is an artist and filmmaker who questions the links between individuals with their virtual doubles or avatars. This event is hosted by french professor, Dr. Stephanie Boulard from School of Modern Languages.