You’re sitting down in the cinema to watch a film. The protagonist on screen is about to make a life-or-death decision. But what if you could influence that?
That’s the concept behind CTRLMovie, a game-changing interactive technology that could revolutionise the moviegoing experience. This week, film fans in the UAE will get the chance to tap "Yes" or "No" with the release of Late Shift, a Bafta-winning heist movie concerning the theft of a priceless piece of Ming Dynasty porcelain.
The film, in cinemas from Thursday, is inspired by the bestselling Choose Your Own Adventure fantasy book series, which allows readers to page-turn to different destinies.
“Late Shift is genuinely the first ‘choose your own adventure’ film ever made,” says its Lebanese producer Chady Eli Mattar.
In 2017, he teamed up with Tobias Weber, the Swiss-born director of Late Shift and inventor of the CTRLMovie technology, to form Kino Industries. The company now strikes deals with major studios as Hollywood begins to explore this vibrant new format.
The concept is simple enough: ticketholders can download an app on their phone, which is then used during the film to vote on story points at vital moments in the narrative.
“Obviously the choice goes to the majority, and then it changes the storyline,” says Mattar. “You never watch the same film twice. You have almost in the billions of possibilities.”
With 180 “decision points”, more than four hours of filmed material and seven alternate endings, the pathways through Late Shift do indeed seem almost unlimited.
British actor Joe Sowerbutts stars in the film as Matt, a student who becomes embroiled in a theft at a London auction house. It has already been released in Asia, appearing in cinemas in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and even at the Beijing International Film Festival. At a time when cinemas are struggling, owing to the rise of streaming platforms and the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s a novel way to entice people back to the movies, says Mattar.
“It’s the core heart of a communal experience. You really have to see it in the theatre with people to believe it because the reaction is off the charts.”
The film is also available on gaming platforms – meaning you could theoretically sit at home and entirely influence the decision-making process. This is hardly new in the gaming universe, with PlayStation titles such as the film noir Heavy Rain (2010) and Beyond: Two Souls (2013) having already experimented with the format.
Similarly, Netflix produced interactive episodes of Black Mirror (2018’s Bandersnatch) and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2020’s Kimmy vs the Reverend), allowing users to influence the outcome via their remote control.
The difference of watching in cinemas is that it plays into the idea of the communal experience. Already, says Mattar, the team behind the film have witnessed groups of friends return for a second viewing, this time with bigger numbers to “overtake the house” and influence the outcome of the story.
“We’ve seen it many times,” he says. “It becomes of this rivalry … we’re going to take over and we’re going to do whatever we want.” Those who have seen the film already can also influence the party. “They’re like ‘Don’t make that choice! Why would you choose this?’”
As a business model, CTRLMovie technology bucks the idea that the cinema isn’t designed for repeat business. In essence, audiences watch a film and rarely come back for seconds – although Hollywood’s love of sequels, prequels and spin-offs has been designed to create brand loyalty.
“But what if you have the opportunity to actually go back to the same thing you loved so much and alter it, play with it and dive deeper into it?” says Mattar, who points out that Late Shift has an average viewership of 3.7 times. “That’s higher than Avatar repeat business.”
The question is, however, is this a gimmick or the start of a big-screen revolution? The answer could be both. Cast your mind back to James Cameron’s sci-fi epic Avatar and you’ll recall that the 3D format was set to dramatically shift the cinemagoing landscape – and for a while it remained hugely popular. But audience tastes change. Then again, it’s easy to see CTRLMovie becoming a theatrical staple, alongside singalong screenings of musicals or broadcasts of live concerts and plays.
Whether cinema chains – already beleaguered after the financial disaster of closed screens amid the pandemic – will be brave enough to show Late Shift remains to be seen.
“I think exhibitors … to differentiate themselves and make themselves more valuable and [more] into the 21st century and digital world, they have to take in new technologies, they have to give their users experiences and reasons to come back to the cinema,” says Mattar. “Everybody has a big screen now. Everybody has access to great content. Exhibition needs something new.”
He pays tribute to Middle East cinema chain Vox for being forward-thinking in this regard. “I would say Vox is, right now, the leader of this in the world.”
At a time when the theatrical box office is being cannibalised by simultaneous streaming releases – as seen with Disney films Cruella, Black Widow and Jungle Cruise – Vox’s stance is certainly innovative.
“They will be taking CTRLMovie in Saudi Arabia and I think that will set a flag that is just incredible.”
As far as the future is concerned, Mattar believes Late Shift is just the start. Already in talks with Steven Spielberg’s company Amblin, as well as major Hollywood studios including Paramount and Disney, Kino Industries is developing interactive movies in myriad genres.
With everything from romantic comedies and a Christmas-themed movie to – believe it or not – a documentary and biopic, there’s even an animated series aimed at children and inspired by the Choose Your Own Adventure series.
Remarkably, Kino Industries has also developed software to allow studio executives to read scripts in the same interactive fashion.
“You could theoretically have written your script on [screenwriting program] Final Draft and you import it into our software, and it basically creates those [narrative] branches for you,” Mattar says.
The “all-encompassing” technology is ready; but will it catch on? Mattar is convinced it will. “We believe this is going to be the future in entertainment.”
Late Shift is at Vox cinemas in the UAE from Thursday
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Superpower%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESean%20Penn%2C%20Aaron%20Kaufman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Series information
Pakistan v Dubai
First Test, Dubai International Stadium
Sun Oct 6 to Thu Oct 11
Second Test, Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tue Oct 16 to Sat Oct 20
Play starts at 10am each day
Teams
Pakistan
1 Mohammed Hafeez, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Asad Shafiq, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Babar Azam, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed, 8 Bilal Asif, 9 Yasir Shah, 10, Mohammed Abbas, 11 Wahab Riaz or Mir Hamza
Australia
1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Mitchell Marsh, 5 Travis Head, 6 Marnus Labuschagne, 7 Tim Paine, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jon Holland
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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South Korea
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Match info
Costa Rica 0
Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
US PGA Championship in numbers
1 Joost Luiten produced a memorable hole in one at the par-three fourth in the first round.
2 To date, the only two players to win the PGA Championship after winning the week before are Rory McIlroy (2014 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational) and Tiger Woods (2007, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational). Hideki Matsuyama or Chris Stroud could have made it three.
3 Number of seasons without a major for McIlroy, who finished in a tie for 22nd.
4 Louis Oosthuizen has now finished second in all four of the game's major championships.
5 In the fifth hole of the final round, McIlroy holed his longest putt of the week - from 16ft 8in - for birdie.
6 For the sixth successive year, play was disrupted by bad weather with a delay of one hour and 43 minutes on Friday.
7 Seven under par (64) was the best round of the week, shot by Matsuyama and Francesco Molinari on Day 2.
8 Number of shots taken by Jason Day on the 18th hole in round three after a risky recovery shot backfired.
9 Jon Rahm's age in months the last time Phil Mickelson missed the cut in the US PGA, in 1995.
10 Jimmy Walker's opening round as defending champion was a 10-over-par 81.
11 The par-four 11th coincidentally ranked as the 11th hardest hole overall with a scoring average of 4.192.
12 Paul Casey was a combined 12 under par for his first round in this year's majors.
13 The average world ranking of the last 13 PGA winners before this week was 25. Kevin Kisner began the week ranked 25th.
14 The world ranking of Justin Thomas before his victory.
15 Of the top 15 players after 54 holes, only Oosthuizen had previously won a major.
16 The par-four 16th marks the start of Quail Hollow's so-called "Green Mile" of finishing holes, some of the toughest in golf.
17 The first round scoring average of the last 17 major champions was 67.2. Kisner and Thorbjorn Olesen shot 67 on day one at Quail Hollow.
18 For the first time in 18 majors, the eventual winner was over par after round one (Thomas shot 73).
Roger Federer's 2018 record
Australian Open Champion
Rotterdam Champion
Indian Wells Runner-up
Miami Second round
Stuttgart Champion
Halle Runner-up
Wimbledon Quarter-finals
Cincinnati Runner-up
US Open Fourth round
Shanghai Semi-finals
Basel Champion
Paris Masters Semi-finals
Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
