Rom Commerce: Birrean Visions of a Funny City

Rom-Commerce is a cinematic installation that challenges the shallow portrayal of New York in romantic comedies, using an invented language to critique the parody of late capitalism in the city today. In the post-9/11 era, state-sponsored romantic comedies and extravagant architectural projects transformed New York from a site of trauma into a playground for the wealthy. Meanwhile, Nils Axen developed Birrean, an invented art language that draws from diverse cultures and ideas. Unlike the commercially universal language of romantic comedies, Birrean is personal and intricate. At the intersection of these contrasting linguistic forms lies the Birrean Cineplex, an opportunity for speculation, critique, humour, and pure entertainment. Step inside and discover what is playing!