Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

Directed by Pella Kågerman and Hugo Lilja
Starring

• Emelie Jonsson as the Mimarobe
• Bianca Cruzeiro as Isagel
• Arvin Kananian as the Captain
• Anneli Martini as the Astronomer

Based on the 1956 poem by Harry Martinson

A spaceship carrying settlers to Mars is knocked off course, causing the consumption-obsessed passengers to consider their place in the universe.

This has made several “best of” lists (including a few here) for the year, but I didn’t see any thread for it.

Currently available on HULU.


This wasn’t a feel good story, but I loved it. Great acting, very well written, visually impressive, and emotion evoking.

I could see this being adapted into a long-form series.

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

Just about one of the bleakest films I've ever ever seen. Great stuff.

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

The AV Club featured this in their Home Video Hell section if folks want to read up on the film but be warned there are tons of spoilers including the ending.

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

Just borrowed this DVD from the library here last week. Wanted to see it at TIFF but couldn't fit it in, and kinda lost track of it after that. I thought it was an interesting counterpoint to the more common kind of deep-space adventure/adventurism epics and/or horror films we've seen for decades. While much of the science — including the short-term transport ship of the title being an unneccesarily gargantuan permanent interstellar cruise liner — was dodgy and the majority of the characters underdeveloped, all of that is probably beside the point in a film based on an allegorical poem written over 60 years ago), Overall I found it to be a really smart wallow in existential dread and the idea of human insignificance, but with a final scene that's one of the best kicks in the teeth that I've had from a movie in a long time. :D

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

I watched this last night. Really, really good, though very grim and depressing. From the description of the movie as being about "consumption obsessed passengers" I expected it to focus more on that aspect, but it did so in a mostly indirect way, like the extravagant design of the ship, which, yeah, doesn't make a lot of sense in real-life practical terms, but does kind of point toward the consumerism that has caused humans to start leaving Earth for Mars.

The acting was excellent and the story's focus on the Mimarobe kept me engaged. The captain's autocratic rule over the ship is an interesting dilemma to consider. For the intended 3-week trip, sure, he's the boss, but for a lifetime journey into nothingness?

One thing that bugs me is not knowing more about the probe. I know it was basically just a plot device, but I wish it's origin and purpose wasn't left a total mystery.

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

But wasn't that the point? They would have no way of ever finding out. The goal is to keep the viewer "in" the ship. You don't get to see anything they don't.

It is interesting that something like the probe can be used to great effect, yet in lesser movies it comes off as bad/lazy script writing.

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

I watched this movie a short while ago. It's one that sticks with you.

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

It's on par with The Road. It's hauntingly beautiful in its hopelessness.

Anything else come to mind on this level, in terms of unrelenting bleakness?

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

Maybe Mother Night ? There's some humor in it due to the absurdity of some of the situations, but it's pretty bleak, especially the ending. It was the quietest I've ever seen an audience leave a theater.

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

This is on Max... according to Justwatch.com

I plan to check this out as I loved The Road.

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

It's also on Hoopla if anyone wants a free w/no ads option.

Re: Aniara (2018, Swedish Sci-Fi)
 

The Lodge . . . but nowhere near as poignant . . . of even really having a point.

Glad to see this bumped. It popped up in my recommendations and I was debating if I wanted (or even could) watch it again.