In a world where fiction is banned following a global catastrophe, a young child takes refuge in the worlds they invent… until the line between imagination and reality begins to blur.
SHORT SYNOPSIS
Poiein is a child who escapes an oppressive reality by creating imaginary worlds where anything seems possible.But when their fictional universe begins to crumble and reality catches up with them, they must confront a fundamental question:Can one take refuge in fiction forever, or must one accept the consequences?
LONG SYNOPSIS
Poiein is a child growing up in a world where fiction is closely monitored and feared. Since a catastrophe known as the Nightmare, humanity has discovered that imaginary worlds are not mere stories: they actually exist, on another plane of reality.For a time, some people learnt how to enter them, to explore these worlds and interact with the beings who inhabit them. But there were many abuses. Violence, manipulation, exploitation… until the day someone found a way to bring objects—and even beings—from fiction into reality.Faced with the catastrophic consequences of this discovery, governments banned all practices linked to these worlds and placed artists under surveillance.In this context, however, Poiein continues to do what humanity has always done: invent stories. Through their drawings and tales, they create a heroic universe in which they face a monstrous adversary and triumph over evil. In this imaginary world, Poiein can become the heroic figure they cannot be in reality.But when their fictional battle reaches its climax and the world they have imagined begins to crumble, the boundary between fiction and reality blurs. The images shatter, the characters vanish, and fiction itself seems to crack.Brutally brought back to reality, Poiein watches their world vanish before their eyes. Their book burns, their world crumbles, and with it the possibility of taking refuge there. Yet, amidst this destruction, one question remains: if creating worlds is dangerous, does that mean we must stop creating altogether?Caught between escape, freedom and responsibility, Poiein must face a simple truth: imagination is an immense power — and no power exists without consequences.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Title: PoieinDirector: Athe Elvan EymetYear: 2026Running time: 7 minsTarget audience: Teenagers / Young adults (15–30 years old)Country: FranceFormat: Mixed-media animation (2D / 3D / live action)Language: FrenchSubtitles: English (others available on request)Sound: Stereo
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Poiein was born from a simple question: why do we tell stories?Since time immemorial, humanity has created stories to understand the world, to escape, to convey ideas, or simply to dream.Yet imagination is an ambivalent force. It can inspire, but it can also distort reality, fuel fantasies, or lead to excesses.With this film, I wanted to explore this tension between the freedom to create and the responsibility that comes with it.In the world of Poiein, humanity has discovered that fictional worlds really do exist and that it is possible to enter them. What seemed like a marvel gradually becomes a danger, eventually leading to a global catastrophe. The governments’ response is radical: they ban fiction and monitor artists.This context raises a central question: can creativity be so dangerous that we seek to control it? The parallel with our own world is clear. Today, many people view art in general as a neutral form of expression, denying any impact it might have on the world.But Poiein is not merely a film about censorship or oppression. It is also a reflection on our relationship with fiction today. In the age of social media, virtual worlds and ubiquitous entertainment, it sometimes becomes difficult to distinguish between necessary escapism and constant flight.The character of Poiein embodies this ambivalence. Like many children and adults—myself included—he takes refuge in the worlds he imagines. In these worlds, he can become a hero and make sense of his emotions. But these worlds are also fragile, unstable, and could collapse at any moment.Visually, I chose to explore this idea through a mixed-media approach, combining 2D animation, 3D environments and live-action footage. Each universe has its own visual and thematic identity, which helps to bring the boundary between the worlds to life, but also highlights its fragility when that boundary begins to crack.This aesthetic choice also reflects a personal conviction: to defend creative freedom. Rather than imposing a single style upon myself, I wanted to explore different techniques and create a dialogue between them, as if the film itself were permeated by multiple forms of imagination.Poiein is thus at once a fantasy adventure, a reflection on artistic creation and a declaration of love for fiction.
HD STILLS
CREDITS
A movie by : Athe Elvan Eymet (Elvanowl)Sound design, Composition and Mixing : Edward PhilippePoiein's Voice : Charlotte Lenormand Professors's Voice : Sad AidoudActors : Athe Elvan Eymet, Sad Aidoud
