
The Backpack of Wings :
Modern Mythology
Science Fiction film, 2021, 22'41 min
Stereo/5.1 Surround Sound
Director, writer and editor Hyeseon Jeong
“The backpack of wings : Modern Mythology” is based on
interdisciplinary research between seismic disaster myths in asian
culture and monitoring animal behaviors in a science field. Asian
traditional people consider animals as a messenger of gods and
generally accept legends about unusual animal behaviors before natural events. However, these anecdotes haven’t been seriously accepted in western world of science. Recently some ethologists are attempting to prove the mystery of animal sense by using computation, tracking technology and gigantic data networks from undersea to outer space.
Now, how are their senses digitized, connected and translated to predict natural disasters, and how far is the intervention of human beings into nature acceptable? Finally, can technological positivism
take over the role of an ancient prophet in future? This project traces this topic and creates a fictive modern mythology, based on a collection of ancient disaster myths from diverse cultures. Furthermore, the new modern mythology will integrate aspects from ICARUS (International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space) project at Max Planck Institute of animal behavior, folklorist, literature and Gaia theory.

concept /
ideas sketches

Synopsis
In the near future small backpacks for endangered migratory birds and wild animals have been generalized. Due to global warming and environmental pollution, it becomes increasingly difficult for migratory birds to find their habitat. Bird conservationists guide them through backpacks on their migration way. To find better habitats where they can live safely. In addition, A-Sense Insurance company has applied this backpack to other wild animals and commercialized (datalized) their senses to alarm natural disasters in advance. One day a tremendous earthquake is predicted in zone 3 and birds and humans react differently than before.
Trailer
Film Stills
Film Stills
Credit
director, writer, editor_ Hyeseon Jeong
cast_ Yukee
voices_ Lili M. Rampre, Kilian Kuhlendahl, IrishCobbler, Ricky DB, Tim Stephenson, Karen
©Acapela Group, Kimberly ©VoiceMaker.In, Léo Beaudoin, Meagan Hall, AnitaCrystalbaby
line producer_ Petra Clemens
animator_ Hyeseon Jeong
assistant animator and color grading_ Seongmin Yuk
subtitle translator_ Meagan Hall
sound design and mixing_ Hyemin Jung
music_ ABADIR, Audionautix, Jeolmyohan, Yukee, Ali Rahman
supported by Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear
Safety (BMU) based on a decision of the German Bundestag
production_ Academy of Media Arts Cologne(KHM)
The backpack of wings: Modern Mythology was developed within the framework of
Driving the Human; cooperation between Forecast/Skills e.V., HfG, ZKM, acatech.