World Premiere of ‘Trillion’ Set for IDFA This Weekend

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — The highly anticipated film ‘Trillion’, directed by Viktor Kossakovsky, will world premiere on Sunday at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA). Described as a ‘cinematic and wordless interpretation of the Myth of Sisyphus,’ the film presents an enigmatic 80-minute visual journey that invites viewers to engage deeply with its themes.

In the film, a woman in a white dress walks barefoot over rocky shores while carrying a jute bag. Kossakovsky collaborates with artist K49814 to explore profound existential questions through a minimalist narrative. The film’s release is part of Kossakovsky’s ‘empathy trilogy’, aiming to provoke discussions around life’s meaning amidst the existential threats faced by sentient beings today.

Executive producers include notable figures such as Joaquin Phoenix, Susan Rockefeller, and Frank Lehmann. The film builds on Kossakovsky’s previous success with ‘Gunda’ and seeks to challenge viewers’ perceptions and emotions.

“Trillion is also a call to action,” says the IDFA website. “It prompts reflection on discovering new possibilities for the future.” In a revealing moment, Kossakovsky shared that the meaning of the title and the film’s essence only becomes clear in its final moments, ensuring a profound experience for audiences.

Notably, Kossakovsky feels that documentary films should communicate through images and movement rather than extensive dialogue. “I’m not using many words in my movies. I’m trying to use pictures. A picture alone talks most of the time,” he explains.

The IDFA festival is an ideal platform for Kossakovsky, who notes how documentary work is perceived in a fiction-heavy environment. He wants viewers to remain engaged until the last frame, suggesting the film requires careful observation and might be enhanced by its dramatic music.

Viewers can expect a unique filmmaking experience that diverges from conventional narratives, encouraging deeper thought about societal norms and individual existence.

The premiere takes place on November 16 at 6:15 PM at Tuschinski 1 in Amsterdam.