USPS Film Club: You Are the Universe
A film is that piece of culture which always sparks conversation — and You Are the Universe was no exception. The tragicomic story of an ordinary guy from Khmelnychchyna, told in a vibrant and sincere voice, prompted reflection on a key question: how can Ukrainian creatives tell the world about themselves and their country? How do we overcome the barriers of language and cultural nuance — do we try to explain the jokes, or simply transmit the authenticity of the music? And ultimately — how do we build a shared code that allows even a part of Ukrainian culture to be “read”?
“You Are the Universe” — undoubtedly rich in artistic meaning — is also a remembrance film. With the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, part of the film crew joined Ukraine’s defence. Among them were producer Volodymyr Yatsenko, lead actor Volodymyr Kravchuk, and Leonid Popadko, the voice behind the main character’s robotic assistant. Some, tragically, did not survive. For the team, finishing this film became a matter of honour — a tribute to those for whom it became a final chapter. It deserves to be seen.
Many thanks to Pavlo, Volodymyr, and Anna for the heartfelt conversation. We hope You Are the Universe will find a special place in your hearts, dear Community!
We warmly encourage you to dive into the world created by Pavlo Ostrikov as soon as You Are the Universe hits theatres.
P.S. What’s the film about? Ukrainian space trucker Andrii hauls nuclear waste from Earth to one of Jupiter’s moons. After a sudden explosion destroys Earth, with debris wiping out everything nearby, he miraculously survives — the last known human in the Universe. Until, unexpectedly, a voice breaks the silence. It’s Catherine, a Frenchwoman stranded in orbit around Saturn. Andrii sets off on a journey to save her — no matter the cost.
