Short film shot inside a video game, 20”35, 2026
Elden Ring is a video game widely known for its high level of difficulty. Players must confront enemies through a series of demanding encounters, where even the smallest mistake is severely punished. Each fight relies on extreme precision and the anticipation of enemy patterns.
Some exceptional players push this challenge further by attempting what are known as no-hit runs: a way of playing in which the entire attempt is considered a failure the moment the player takes any damage. Some players even reduce their health bar to the minimum as a performative gesture, reinforcing the idea that being hit even once is not an option. Defeating major bosses without being hit is a documented practice within the community and requires exceptional skill, developed through dozens of hours of repeated practice.
Mélanie’s Favour is a modded shield, a custom in-game item created by modifying the game’s data. Unlike any other shield in the game, it is intentionally designed not to protect the player from damage. Equipping it provides almost no safety in combat and is intended for highly skilled players only. The shield is conceived as a symbolic “favour,” inspired by medieval courtly traditions in which a knight would receive a token from a lady before entering a dangerous battle.
In the film, the player Celnadmery3480 performs a series of boss fights while deliberately wearing this shield.
