Kane Parsons: A Cinematic Journey from YouTube to A24
Kane Parsons, the prodigious talent behind the forthcoming A24 film 'Backrooms,' shares insights into his unexpected rise from YouTube creator to acclaimed filmmaker. His journey, which began with crafting videos based on a 4chan meme about peculiar, empty spaces, has culminated in directing a major studio production at an remarkably young age. This article delves into the diverse array of influences that have shaped Parsons' distinctive creative approach, from the subtle dread of liminal environments to the narrative complexities of celebrated television series and the interactive worlds of video games. His story is a testament to how modern digital culture can serve as a fertile ground for cultivating groundbreaking artistic endeavors.
Parsons, who will soon turn 21, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the youngest director ever to helm an A24 movie. His film, an expanded adaptation of the 'backrooms' meme, stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, and explores a world of unsettlingly vacant, parallel dimensions. This project bridges internet culture with cinematic storytelling, echoing how A24's 'Spring Breakers' captured the essence of the Tumblr aesthetic. Predictions suggest a strong box office performance, potentially making Parsons the youngest director to achieve a number one opening, surpassing even films like 'The Mandalorian and Grogu.'
A recurring theme in Parsons' work, from his initial 'Backrooms' video (amassing over 78 million views) to his latest film, is his fascination with the unknown. While the movie incorporates some supernatural elements, Parsons intentionally avoids over-reliance on sci-fi, instead focusing on the unsettling nature of 'off-kilter' mundane spaces. He describes this as a feeling of incongruity: "Who the hell would put a door there? Why are there stairs here? They’re always too narrow. It's stuff like that. And so it feels manmade, and it feels lived in, but there's just something that's not quite right... It doesn't add up. No one would make these choices, no one would build this. And also, where the f*** is the exit?"
The genesis of Parsons' unique vision can be traced back to his deep engagement with online phenomena. The original 'backrooms' photograph, captured in a disused furniture store in 2002, sparked a widespread online fascination with 'liminal spaces.' These are typically empty, transitional locations that evoke a sense of unease or mystery. Parsons found himself drawn to YouTube compilations of such images, often set to ambient or electronic music, which fueled his exploration into why these spaces resonate so deeply with people. He observed that these images, despite their varied nature, shared a common unsettling feeling that captivated his imagination.
Another significant influence for Parsons is the 2015 USA Network series 'Mr. Robot,' starring Rami Malek as a hacker. He frequently references the show's exploration of obsession, paranoia, and hidden systems as crucial to his 'Backrooms' narrative. Parsons admires how 'Mr. Robot' delves into "the morbid day-by-day folly of man trying to put this thing together that doesn't make any sense," and particularly commends its later seasons for their poignant examination of the interplay between modern societal complexities and individual experience, shifting focus from personal agency to systemic influence.
Parsons also attributes his creative DNA to Valve Software games like 'Portal' and 'Half-Life.' He notes that these games, much like his interpretation of the Backrooms, are set in research facilities that are simultaneously ordinary yet function as complex puzzles. They challenge conventional logic, creating a sense of bewildering mystery that aligns with his artistic sensibilities. Furthermore, open-world games such as 'Garry's Mod' and 'Minecraft' were pivotal in shaping his early creative development. 'Garry's Mod,' a sandbox game allowing players to build and experiment, provided an endless canvas for his imagination, mirroring the limitless possibilities he found on YouTube. He spent countless hours in 'Minecraft' and 'Little Big Planet,' immersing himself in these creative environments before transitioning to visual effects software.
Ambient music forms another cornerstone of Parsons' artistic foundation. He prefers music that creates a "meditative place that’s not structured like a traditional song," drawing inspiration from video game soundtracks and film scores. When composing his own music for 'Backrooms' in collaboration with Edo Van Breemen, Parsons deconstructs his favorite tracks, citing artists like Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, and Burial as primary influences. Despite lacking formal musical training, he finds immense joy in the process, crediting his father's hobby as a DJ during his childhood for exposing him to diverse electronic music, which continues to inform his atmospheric choices in filmmaking.
The British thriller series 'Utopia' from the early 2010s also profoundly impacted Parsons. Similar to 'Backrooms,' 'Utopia' features characters uncovering hidden truths, in this case, a graphic novel rumored to predict future events. Parsons is captivated by the show's meticulous depiction of individuals consumed by a project, striving to bring something to fruition. He finds the slow unraveling of its mystery compelling, posing the existential question: "Is there anything behind the veil, or is it all just people all the way down and no one knows what the f*** they're doing?"
Beyond fictional narratives, Parsons' interest in non-fiction and real-world inquiry significantly fuels his creative output. As a child, he was drawn to scientific commentators, particularly Vsauce host Michael Stevens, whom he regards as his favorite YouTuber. Stevens' channel, known for its speculative and existential questions like "What if everyone JUMPED at once?" or "Is Your Red the Same as My Red?", instilled in Parsons a similar curiosity about the nature of reality and the unsettling implications of open-ended questions. This grounding in real-world exploration is evident in the 'Backrooms' universe, where Parsons encourages his characters and audience alike to actively engage in deciphering the unknown, rather than providing a predetermined roadmap.