Written and directed by Pella Kågerman and Hugo Lilja
Starring Emelie Jonsson, Anneli Martini, Arvin Kananian, Jennie Silfverhjelm and Bianca Cruzeiro
MPAA rating: R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, disturbing images, and drug use
Running time: 1 hour and 46 minutes

by Hunter Bush

The old axiom "There's just no winning the human race" reoccurred to me frequently throughout my viewing of Aniara, the pessimistically meditative new Swedish sci-fi feature from writer / directors Pella Kågerman & Hugo Lilja, based on the epic poem by Harry Martinson. Combining modest means with a truly grand scope, the filmmakers have managed to come away with a surprisingly multi-faceted work.