Beyond the Short Official Premiere

At the heart of the documentary “The Game You Play” lies the captivating exploration of Dr. Eric Berne's theory of psychological games and holds a warning message addressed to a modern society’s behaviour.

The film features a mysterious Magician who interacts with subjects, visually representing psychological theory through captivating performance. Interspersed with fast-paced and dynamic archive footage collage inspired by Adam Curtis visual style, the documentary creates a subtle feeling of anxiety, prompting viewers to question their own involvement in life's mind games. Additionally, a psychiatrist Lucy Power offers insightful breakdowns of two common psychological games and the motivations behind them in the interview. Which are visually illustrated with contemporary choreography performances accompanied with futuristic soundtrack.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

"The Game You Play" is a captivating blend, somewhere between an explorative documentary and an experimental short film, drawing inspiration from the ingenious Adam Curtis. The spark for this film ignited while I immersed myself in Dr. Eric Berne's "Games People Play" book. Back during my MetFilm days, a documentary pitch was on the docket, and I felt compelled to deviate from the standard dramatic style. The result? A fusion of fictional elements reminiscent of nostalgic TV shows and cherished childhood videos.

Our dialogue with Lucy Power, a therapeutic coach, added depth to the project. With her insights, we delved into the intricacies of two common psychological games: "Kick me" and "I've got you, son of a b*tch." These discussions spurred the creation of two performances, developed collaboratively with dancers, to explore these phenomena.

"The Game You Play" serves as a vehicle to explore a psychological theory on human behavior within society. It prompts reflection on our shared tendency to engage in subtle maneuvers and manipulations, all in the pursuit of attention. This dynamic, observable both in our interactions and within ourselves, often leads to confusion and strained connections. The film aims to catalyze introspection, encouraging viewers to recognize their emotional authenticity and move away from destructive games that undermine genuine connections.

“The Game You Play" – it's a journey through the psychological theory on human behavior within society. We're all guilty of those little attention-seeking tricks and mind games that break into our relationships. Personally, i see it all the time around myself and even in myself. However, these “games” don’t help you but make your relationship with yourself and others unhealthy and lead to strained connections.

Our film aims to encouraging viewers to recognize their real emotions. It is a wake-up call for people to get present and quit playing games that gradually destroy their lives.”

-Valentina Khodnevich