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Deep Dive: Level Five (1997)

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Level Five
Level Five is a 1997 French pseudo-documentary directed by Chris Marker. The film follows Laura, the widow of a computer programmer, as she attempts to finish her late husband's last project: a video game that reconstructs the Battle of Okinawa. Her goal is to simulate an alternative outcome to this historical event, which she believes could provide a different perspective on the tragedy. Throughout the film, Laura documents her efforts while interacting with various figures, including Chris Marker, who appears as himself and serves as the narrator. The film blends elements of personal grief with historical reflection, using the medium of video games to engage with the past and its implications for the future.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Laura, a widow creating a video game about Okinawa.
  • •See Chris Marker narrate his own film.
  • •Find out how video games can reinterpret history.

Did You Know

•Level Five was released in 1997 and directed by Chris Marker.
•Catherine Belkhodja plays the lead role of Laura.
•The film features interviews with notable figures like Kenji Tokitsu and Nagisa Oshima.
•Keith Uhlich ranked the re-release of Level Five as the sixth-best film of 2014.

Perfect For

Fans of Chris MarkerVideo game enthusiastsHistory buffs