Credits

Regie

Pavlo Ostrikov

Genre

Tragicomedy, Science fiction

Speelduur

90 minutes

Land

Ukraine, France, Belgium

Taal

Ukrainian, French with English subtitles

Ondertiteling

English

Storyline

U Are the Universe as seen by Ukrainian critic Serhii Ksaverov:

What if you were the last person in the universe, doomed to a lonely, miserable existence in a shabby space garbage truck, floating somewhere between Jupiter and eternity? Pavlo Ostrikov’s debut, expectedly, explores the theme of existential emptiness, but it employs a main character who appears content with the notion that the rest of humanity was eliminated in one catastrophic blow—until he realizes he is not truly alone.

Cinematic space journeys rarely stray from the formula of a mission-driven hero overcoming obstacles. U Are the Universe plays with this very framework but does so in an offbeat and, dare I say, distinctly Ukrainian way. Its protagonist—almost proverbially so—embodies a dazzling mix of contradictions, possessing the rare ability to both irritate and amuse. Yet, it is precisely within these contradictions that the film discovers its tenderness and heart, making for a journey that defies expectations.

Speakers & moderator:

Coen van Zwol is a film critic for NRC Handelsblad. Since 1992, he has been a city reporter in Rotterdam, a crisis reporter on the Balkans, and political editor in The Hague for NRC.

Daria Badior is a film critic, editor, and co-curator of Kyiv Critics’ Week. Works as a journalist for Ukraine’s public broadcaster, Suspilne. Kultura, but has been contributing as a freelancer to Dwutygodnyk, Osteuropa, Kino Raksti, and others. Daria is a co-founder of the Union of Ukrainian Film Critics and a member of the European Film Academy.

Moderator:
Laura van Zuylen is a film critic who writes, among others, for the Dutch magazine de Filmkrant and creates programs for the Dutch National Theatre in The Hague. She specializes in Italian cinema, classical Hollywood, and is a fan of horror of all sorts.