The Daemon
The concept of the Daemon is several thousand years old. Anthony Peake’s exploration of the concept in his book, The Daemon was a great inspiration and source of reference material.
This book, The Daemon, A Guide to Your Extraordinary Secret Self by Anthony Peake, expands on the proposition suggested in ‘Is There Life After Death?’ that all consciously aware beings consist of not one but two separate consciousnesses – everyday consciousness and that of the Daemon, a higher being that seems to possess knowledge of future events.
This book includes the stories of many famous artists, politicians, musicians and scientists who have felt a force outside themselves including Winston Churchill, Byron, Goethe, Jean Cocteau and many others.
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The Delphi Device
The Delphi Device which features heavily in the film is based on a real-life device popularly known as the 'God Helmet' or 'Persinger Helmet' after it's inventor, neurologist, Michael Persinger.
"Most reports from Persinger's lab consist of people sensing "presences". There have also been reports in which the participant has experienced what they perceive as God. Persinger reports that "at least" 80 percent of his participants experience a presence beside them in the room, and others report less evocative experiences of "another consciousness or sentient being".
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'Jaynes Syndrome'
In Doctor Isaac's notebook she describes Sarah as potentially suffering from 'Jaynes Syndrome'. This is a term created for the film to describe a state of consciousness which allows the individual to communicate with their daemon on higher self.
The name 'Jaynes' is a reference to psychologist, Julian Jaynes, whose 1976 book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind was hugely influential in the study of consciousness. Philip K Dick described it as a 'stunning theory' and it was one of David Bowie's favourite books.
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Cameos
Several hand doubles were also used with Barbara Toschi (Producer), Lachlan Smith (Editor) and director (Jason Fité) all lending a hand.
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'Machine Elves' Masks
The 'Machine Elves' masks were especially commissioned for the film and were designed and created by talented London artist, Alice Marinana whose artwork also features in the Peter Hedge's studio scene.
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Locations
The 'Book'
The book which Sebastian is seen reading throughout the film is a 1908 edition of Charles Kingsley's 'The Heroes'. The same book has also featured in two other Peracals' films, 'through a dark mirror' where it is read by Lincoln Gold and 'Mea Culpa' where it read by the Concierge.
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