Saturn

Saturn, directed by Valentyn Vasyanovych, is a 2021 Ukrainian science fiction film that explores the idea of a small town in crisis after a mysterious planet appears in the sky. The movie is set in a small town in Ukraine where the daily lives of the residents become disrupted when an unknown celestial body appears in the sky. As news spreads that the object is an ancient planet from the distant past, a feeling of awe and unease settles over the town. A young father, Sergei, is portrayed by actor Oleksandr Danylenko. As the days go by, the town is thrown into chaos as a mix of excitement, confusion, and fear takes hold. A local schoolteacher, Lyuba, interpreted by Ukrainian actress Nataliya Tkachenko, emerges as the leader of this collective hysteria. Many of the townspeople believe that the ancient planet brings a long-forgotten era of power and mysticism back to Earth, and that it demands a sacrifice from humanity. They believe this sacrifice could take the form of any individual. Lyuba, driven by her faith in the ancient power, urges Sergei to join their ranks. She believes that he, being the father, has received a personal call from the mysterious planet to fulfill a greater purpose. Sergei, torn between his own life and the responsibility to save the world, faces a difficult decision. Throughout the film, Vasyanovych masterfully crafts a haunting and foreboding atmosphere that slowly builds tension. The town's fragile social order is tested as the residents are forced to confront the uncertainty and possible destruction that the ancient planet's arrival may bring. Meanwhile, Lyuba's influence spreads rapidly, and people start to turn against each other. As the townspeople become increasingly divided, they turn to Lyuba, who has emerged as their leader. Her actions become erratic, but her conviction and faith in the ancient planet continue to drive her. In the midst of the chaos, Sergei is faced with a choice: leave behind the life he loves and join the masses, seeking to fulfill his apparent destiny, or defy the crowd and protect his family and himself from the potential danger. The decision is not straightforward, and the consequences of each option weigh heavily on his mind. The narrative of Saturn delves deep into human psychology, exploring themes of faith, power, and the human drive to cling to a collective sense of purpose in times of crisis. The movie raises fundamental questions about free will and whether individuals are capable of breaking free from societal expectations. As tensions escalate, the fate of the town hangs in the balance. In the climactic conclusion of the film, the people of the town face a choice between blindly following the call of the mysterious planet or questioning their collective hysteria and rejecting the supposed higher purpose.