A dreamlike and psychedelic universe where reality and fantasy blend seamlessly through set extensions, digital creatures, and immersive sequences that amplify the protagonists' unique visions
Queer
We completed over 1,000 VFX interventions during a year and a half of post-production, from on-set support to final delivery. The set extensions transformed the Cinecittà studios into locations representing Mexico City, Panama, and Quito (Ecuador). Additionally, two fully CG snakes—a viper and an ouroboros—were created specifically for the film. One standout sequence spans four minutes, during which the protagonists’ bodies gradually merge into one another.
The creative contribution of the VFX was crucial in bringing the film’s dreamlike visions to life. One notable scene depicts the protagonists, under the influence of Ayahuasca, “vomiting” their hearts as they merge into an emotionally charged dance. Balancing realism with miniature effects was essential to crafting a believable landscape while emphasizing the reconstructed set design.
Compositing
CG Integration
Full CG
Set Extension
Keying
Fx
Animation
Camera car
Environment
Beauty
Matte Painting
CG Creature
Digidouble
Lookdev
In this film, VFX played a pivotal role in translating the director's dreamlike vision, shaping surreal moments such as the scene where the protagonists, under the influence of Ayahuasca, "vomit" their hearts and merge into an emotionally charged dance.
The first part of the film leans into a blend of realism and reconstruction, where the landscapes, though seemingly authentic, required digital integration of the set design. Shot primarily at Cinecittà, with select scenes in Sicily, every frame was digitally extended to create a world that transcended the physical limits of the set. Initially running over three hours, the film was trimmed to a final runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The second part, immersed in a psychedelic atmosphere, utilized set extensions and miniatures enhanced by VFX. The result of months of on-set preparation, post-production, and extensive R&D, the visual effects achieved outstanding results.
The preparatory work for the set extensions began in February 2023, two months before filming, in close collaboration with the production design team. This included positioning blue screens, conducting lidar scans of the sets, and reconstructing every element in CG to ensure accurate perspectives.
The main digitally extended sets include:
- Lolas’ Bar
- Chimu
- Ship Ahoy Bar (with fully reconstructed exteriors)
- Mexico City (day and night)
- Lee’s Apartment
- The Jungle and The Hut (featuring two VFX-created creatures: an ouroboros snake and a "guard dog" viper protecting Dr. Cotter’s Hut)
The jungle was digitally extended, enhancing its height and density of vegetation. Several scenes filmed in Sicily were seamlessly combined with miniatures crafted by Simone Weisse, further enriched with digital details and textures to bring the landscapes to life.
Queer – VFX breakdown
