PLAYTOPIA
A playful exploration of power, money, hierarchy, and inequality through the eyes of children from all walks of life. Playtopia combines the real and the imagined in a documentary film with whimsical and magical elements.
Playtopia tells the story of a filmmaker and mother delving into the minds of 8 children from varied backgrounds, seeking to understand their perceptions of our world and its future. Set in a timeless sci-fi workspace, they discover ‘The Playtopia Machine’, a magical device that unlocks their imaginations. Through this, they construct ‘The Good Life’ and ‘The Bad Life’ – contrasting realms reflecting their innate understanding of society’s values. The film combines live collage sequences, children’s debates, footage of their real lives, and a suitcase of miniature objects to document their thoughts on power, money, love, and hierarchy. Playtopia questions whether we are preparing our children for a future that aligns with their best interests. Are we engineering our kids to succeed in a world that might ultimately destroy their future?
IN DEVELOPMENT
CZ/USA/RO/FR
Script, director: Bára Jíchová Tyson
Script advisor: Lucie Králová, David Barker
Editor: Bára Jíchová Tyson
Producer: Alice Tabery, Kristina Škodová
Coproducer: Bára Tyson Jichová (Incomplete Pictures), Radu Stancu and Cristina Hanes (deFilm), Christian Popp (TAG Film)
Consulting producer: Danielle Varga (Walking Productions)
Supported by: MEDIA – Creative Europe, Czech Film Fund, Audiovisual Producers’ Association, CNC
Participated at: ExOriente training program 2022/2023, DOK Co-Pro Market 2022, East Doc Forum 2023, Producers On The Move 2023, IDFAcademy 2023



