Atlas V and Imagissime Team Up for AI-Infused Surreal Comedy Series ‘Paradoxes’
The companies Atlas V and Imagissime (part of Mediawan) have announced a joint production for the surreal sci-fi comedy series “Paradoxes.” This project is unique for combining live-action filming with generative artificial intelligence.
The series will star Xavier Lacaille, Zita Hanrot, Nora Hamzawi, and Usama Heddam. The channel Arte France is co-producing and has commissioned the series for its platform, while Mediawan Rights will handle international distribution. Filming is scheduled to continue until the end of next month.
About the Series
Director Pierre Zandrowicz tells the story of Roman (Xavier Lacaille), a journalist suffering from depression. While on an assignment in a forest to report on a rare oak tree, he stumbles into a quantum anomaly created by a zealous scientist, Lea (Zita Hanrot). It soon becomes clear that this anomalous zone is the physical manifestation of Roman’s own tormented subconscious—a surreal mental landscape where his neuroses, fantasies, childhood memories, and shameful ghosts spill into physical reality. While the army and Roman’s unorthodox psychotherapist try to stop the catastrophe, he must confront his inner world.
The script was conceived and written by Maxime Donzel and Émilie Valentine.
Inspiration and Innovation
Zandrowicz, a founder of the immersive media studio Atlas V, stated that “Paradoxes” was inspired by the surrealism and existential playfulness of works by Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, and Charlie Kaufman.
This is the first full live-action series for Atlas V and a significant move into fiction for the Imagissime label, which is known for its acclaimed documentaries.
Technology and Support
The project received support for research and development from Google in the field of AI, as well as public funding. The series’ visual process is highly complex: the real world is filmed traditionally, while Roman’s internal psyche is created using generative AI. Transition scenes, such as characters crossing a portal between the worlds, employ a mixture of technologies including green screen, 3D mapping, and motion capture.
An unexpected partner for the project was the French army and Mission Cinema, which provided access to locations, military bases, equipment, and consultants to advise on terminology and weapon handling.
According to the producers, “Paradoxes” is not merely an experiment but a “series based on traditional storytelling that uses advanced tools to explore uncharted landscapes of the mind, blending emotional surrealism and sharp humor.”