Scuba divers on the set of Submerged. Photo: Apple Studios

‘Submerged’: Apple’s first VR movie for Vision Pro was filmed in Prague by director Edward Berger

Submerged, Apple’s first scripted film shot for the company’s VR device Apple Vision Pro, was officially released over the weekend. Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Edward Berger, the submarine film was partially shot in Prague, where production designers constructed a massive dive tank to film underwater scenes.

The new 16-minute short is now available exclusively for owners of Apple Vision Pro as part of a new series of VR content branded Apple Immersive Video. Apple Vision Pro debuted in the United States earlier this year at a $3499 (about CZK 80,000) price point, but has yet to be officially released on the Czech market.

Submerged transports viewers onto a submarine during the second World War, following its crew during a harrowing attack. The short takes inspiration from classic submarine tales from Das Boot to U-571, but allows viewers to experience the action first-hand through Apple Immersive Video’s spatial audio and 3D images, captured by two lenses in 8K resolution and with a 180-degree field of view.

Filming for Submerged took place over three weeks in Prague, Brussels, and Malta, utilizing a detailed 23-ton submarine set designed to replicate World War II-era vessels. Large portions of the set were constructed to endure full submersion, with practical camera setups and special effects engineered to expose Apple Immersive Video cameras to elements like sparks, steam, water, and fire.

“Apple Immersive Video is a wonderful new medium that expands the horizon of storytelling,” says director Berger, who previously shot the Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front in Prague and surrounding Czech locations. Berger’s next feature, the critically-acclaimed Conclave, will hit local cinemas later this month.

“Apple Vision Pro inspired me to tell a story in a way that just wasn’t possible before, and in the process, it changed the way my team and I think about creating a story,” the director adds. “This immersive technology pioneered by Apple is going to change the future of filmmaking.”

The cast of Submerged, including star Jordan Barton, underwent intensive preparation, including freedive training, to ensure realism in the immersive environment. A deep dive tank for the Submerged shoot was first constructed in the Czech Republic before being fully transported to Belgium.

Submerged is the very first scripted film released for Apple Vision Pro, but additional content is on the horizon. Next month, Apple will release an immersive VR music experience in collaboration with The Weeknd to promote the artist’s latest album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.

“Apple Immersive Video allows Apple Vision Pro users around the world to experience the next generation of sports, documentaries, and music performances,” Tor Myhren, Apple’s vice president of marketing communications, says in a press release. “With Submerged, an immersive film from visionary director Edward Berger, we’re excited to premiere the next generation of narrative filmmaking.”

“Vision Pro places you in the middle of the story — inside a densely packed submarine, shoulder to shoulder with its crew. That deep sense of immersion just wasn’t possible before, and we can’t wait to see how it inspires filmmakers to push the boundaries of visual storytelling.”

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Jason Pirodsky

Jason Pirodsky has been writing about the Prague film scene and reviewing films in print and online media since 2005. A member of the Online Film Critics Society, you can also catch his musings on life in Prague at expats.cz and tips on mindfulness sourced from ancient principles at MaArtial.com.

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