eXistenZ props

In many of his films, Canadian director David Cronenberg assigns a prominent role to props, objects especially designed to trigger a particular reaction from the lead characters. In comparison to his gynaecological instruments (Dead Ringers), insect-like typewriters (Naked Lunch) and fetishist prosthetics (Crash), the props he designed for eXistenZ appear the most organic, almost like independent life-forms. Bearing names like ‘Medusa’, ‘Viral Ecstasy’, ‘Cyst’ or ‘Biological Father’, the metaphysical questions Cronenberg raises with this film are already embodied in the tiniest details of his imaginary game consoles and their packagings.