Directed by: Pavlo Ostrikov
Distributed by: TBD
Written by Taylor Baker
48/100
Director Pavlo Ostrikov makes his feature film debut with “U Are the Universe” after having built his voice, writing and directing each of his previous five short films, and serving as cinematographer on his first two. His feature is a post-apocalyptic narrative about a nuclear waste long-haul space trucker named Andriy who becomes enamoured with a French astronaut named Catherine, who finds herself stuck on a distant space station after the world explodes.
Ostrikov’s short film experience appears in ways that complement and detract from his feature. For instance, the film’s beats feel like individual ideas that don’t build cohesively. However, his set design for the spaceship and its compartments that Andriy navigates and the practical effect of the onboard robot Max-E make for a clever and effective way of maintaining believability in the film’s premise. When it comes to practical choices, the film stretched its limited budget well.
The film falters with its special effects; they look false, whether looking at a planet rotating through a window from the ship or watching the ship race to cover behind a planetary body. There is a general lower quality render that permeates nearly all the external visual effects sequences. The film wouldn’t be much better with higher quality exterior sequences, but it does remind one that they aren’t just watching a movie. They’re watching a cheap movie. Which ultimately detracts from trying to buy into the chamber-like romance the film centers on.
“U Are the Universe” fumbles in executing its headier ideas. Still, the simple, sometimes comedic relationship between Max-E and Andriy and the moments of romance made through the radio between Catherine and Andriy show promise for Ostrikov. Should he avoid choices that his budget can’t honor and focus on relationships between characters, his career may be one to watch.
“U Are the Universe” Clip
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