About a month ago, we had the honor of talking with director Nicolás Alcalá about his crowdfunded and transmediatic film The Cosmonaut. Ever since then, we've been waiting with bated breath for the May 18th release of the film -- and now, that day is here. After years of raising funds, traveling across Europe, and enlisting thousands of people to become co-creators of their project, the team of at Riot Cinema Collective are ready to unveil their newest creation.

If you've never heard of The Cosmonaut, or just need a refresher, the film centers around the first Russian cosmonaut, Stas, who travels to the Moon during the Space Race. Upon his arrival back to Earth, he finds that Earth is completely empty.

The story behind the making of the film is just as interesting. Their $150,000 investor dropped out at the last minute, forcing the team to seek funding on Lanzanos, which is the Spanish equivalent of Kickstarter. Their campaign broke all the world's crowdfunding records by raising €130,000 in 3 days. The film also is a transmedia experience, which means there are tons (and I mean tons) of extras: illustrations, videos, behind-the-scenes footage which are all available with a "K-Pass", which allows you to get more involved in a film that you ever have before. There's so much more to be impressed by, including the beautiful visuals of the film. Check out the trailer below.

Here are a few behind-the-scenes videos from the screenwriting room (Alcalá's bedroom), set, and editing room of the The Cosmonaut.

Alcalá and his team at Riot Cinema have reinvented the way films are produced and experienced. Perhaps the face of cinema is beginning to change thanks to folks like them. The film is now live on their website and is free to watch. Watch it now! Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Links:

  • The Cosmonaut website
  • Watch it Now! The Cosmonaut film
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