Déjà Vu

Synopsis

Déjà Vu is a fiction short film by Juliano Oliveira. The story follows a couple who arrange a blind date in a cybercafé. Unbeknownst to them, another couple of internet users plans to meet at the same place, under the same conditions: carrying a red rose.

As the characters converge in the same space, misunderstandings unfold, driven by assumptions, miscommunication, and the ambiguity of identity in virtual interactions.

Project Overview

Produced in 2007, Déjà Vu is a short film shot entirely in a single continuous take (one-shot sequence). The story is set in a rustic cybercafé, deliberately contrasting the physical environment with the virtual nature of online relationships.

The film explores miscommunication and emotional disconnect in human relationships, particularly in cyberspace, where individuals can adopt multiple identities. The difficulty the characters face in recognizing and understanding one another becomes the driving force of the narrative.

The red rose, traditionally a symbol of love, is used as a recurring visual element and narrative pivot, representing both connection and confusion, and ultimately triggering the misunderstandings that shape the story.

The screenplay was awarded at the I.S.C.A. – Invenções, Subversões e Criações Audiovisuais, a project developed through a partnership between UFMG, PUC Minas, Centro Universitário UNA, and Promove.

Direction and Production

Because the film was conceived as a single uninterrupted shot, the direction required precise coordination between actors, camera movement, and continuity. The role of continuity was essential, as every action, movement, and timing needed to be carefully choreographed to maintain narrative coherence without cuts.

The production demanded extensive planning and rehearsal, making it a technically and logistically challenging project. Movement diagrams and staging schemes were developed to control the flow of action within the scene.

Filming took place on July 2, 2007, at Utópica Marcenaria, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The crew arrived in the afternoon, with actors joining later in the evening. The shoot extended through the night and into the early hours of the morning, as the entire film had to be completed before sunrise.