About the plot, i.e. what the story is about, is really a mystery. The only thing we “sense” is what the actor Malkovich tersely and jealously mentioned, who said that “it's a vision of what we might find in that not-so-distant future in the making”. Under my personal expectations, this film may be a direct message to the people of that year, something like a time capsule translated into a film.

Although the plot of the film remains an enigma, three cracking trailers were released in November 2015. Each offers a different vision of the year 2115:

• One shows a dystopian future on a ruined and abandoned Earth.

• Another presents an extremely technologically advanced urbanisation.

• The third plunges us into an invasion where cyborgs have taken control of the planet.

These visions share the same actions and dialogue, but their contexts are radically different, “a puzzle”.

3.- The Time Chest:

To avoid leaks and maintain the mystery, the film was stored together with a bottle of Louis XIII in a special safe, created by the prestigious brand Fichet-Bauche. This safe has bulletproof glass and cannot be opened with codes or keys. And with all that, only a few know its current whereabouts.

This safe is scheduled to open automatically on November 18, 2115, exactly 100 years after production was completed.

4.- The Big Premiere:

One thousand tickets for the preview were sent to people from different latitudes, “Robert Rodriguez and John Malkovich” each received theirs. The hope is that their future descendants will be able to enjoy this exclusive presentation at the Domaine du Grollet in Cognac, France.

The tickets were made of aluminium foil with inscriptions in bas-relief. They were placed inside fireproof and age-resistant cases (carbon alloy).

5.- The Commercial Contract:

The main reason behind this decision lies in a commercial contract with Louis XIII. The cognac brand wanted the film to be presented to the world exactly when they launched their new vintage bottle, 100 years later.

The fact that the film is stored in a special safe next to a bottle of aged cognac adds a touch of mystery, doesn't it? The association with the cognac brand Louis XIII is interesting. It combines cinematic art with a unique marketing and commercial purpose.

Now, a question I've been asking myself for all these years, is “if the project is mysteriously and jealously hidden, what about the script and the people involved?” We're talking about people who were there as electrical assistants, extras, photographers, designers, etcetera. Well, if you're wondering like me, the most obvious answer is probably “they have a confidentiality agreement”. As for the script, it's as simple as just getting rid of it.

Well, for very obvious reasons, I don't have any more information to show you. All that's left is to wait for the premiere; well, as it is, we are still 91 years away from its release.

By then, you'll have to grab an old projector, as the film will be preserved in its original format. Of course, we shouldn't rule out the idea that this film could be a fake either, considering that ninety-one years from now none of us will be alive to check it out (if we remember!) and that this is all just a big advertising campaign for Cognac “Louis XIII”.

6.- The Hundred-Year Wait:

The film has become a symbol of patience and anticipation. Its existence reminds us that art can transcend time and generations. The safe that houses the film has travelled to several iconic cities around the world, capturing the imagination of those who have seen it.

100 Years: The Film You'll Never See is an act of creativity and resistance against the transience of modern life. Its release is scheduled for a future that only a lucky few will be able to witness. Who will those privileged viewers be? Only time will tell.

It invites us to reflect on the ephemeral nature of time and the persistence of art. It is a project that challenges our expectations and makes us question how we value and experience cinema. Only time will tell if this bold gamble paid off.

7.- Technical Sheet:

All the information related to the production data sheet can be found at the following link:

100 Years: The film you'll never see

CREDITS:

• Images: all images are of public holding and are taken from the same videos that were published in this post.

• Title: CoolText

• All assembly was done with Microsoft Office 365 Pro 2023 PowerPoint on Windows 11 Pro.