The ‘Book of Life’ director’s VR debut makes its way to YouTube. So now everyone can cry in VR.
When we first heard about Jorge Gutierrez’s Google Spotlight Stories project, Son of Jaguar, I don’t think any of us were expecting the colorful journey we were about to experience. The nine minute 360° short film is a rollercoaster of emotions, letting you follow an aging Mexican wrestler past his prime as he struggles to support his loving family after losing one of his legs from a previous bout.
It’s as sad as it is beautiful and wholesome, something I guess I should have expected coming from the director of the enchanting 3D animated Book of Life.
“I always wanted to follow the wrestlers when they lost,” said Gutierrez during an interview with Variety. “And, you know, the losers look like me.”
Previously the family-centric film, which also happens to be the longest and most dialogue-heavy piece of content within the Google Spotlight Stories catalog, was only available on the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift via SteamVR. Now the entire 360 video has also been made available for viewing through the official Google Spotlight Stories YouTube channel, so everyone can get in on the VR luchado action whether you’re on a high-end PC headset or a simple Google Cardboard viewer. Which is good, because this is a 360° film that’s not to be missed.
Gutierrez does a superb job of instantly injecting life into this colorful universe, wasting no time in portraying the bleak lives of our main characters and the hardships they endure. It follows a very similar theme as the one in Book of Life, where family and their expectations have a deep effect on the main protagonist. Overall Son of Jaguar is a pleasantly engaging nine minutes that’s sure to please 360° video enthusiasts, fans of 3D animation, or anyone who appreciates well-crafted storytelling.
Finished the film and still find yourself craving more Mexican wrestling goodness? I don’t blame you. For more Son of Jaguar content check out this short behind-the-scene video above.
