Italian
A new sci-fi satire: ‘Exactly What It Seems’ by Darya Zhuk
A bold new direction for Darya Zhuk
Belarus-born director Darya Zhuk is set to follow up her acclaimed debut feature, “Crystal Swan,” with a dark science fiction satire titled “Exactly What It Seems”. This film promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary authoritarianism, blending elements of satire and science fiction to tackle complex political themes.
The story behind the film
Produced by Allfilm’s Volia Chajkouskaya and Ivo Felt (Estonia) along with Violetta Krechetova, the film is based on an original short story by Tatsiana Zamirovskaya, who also co-writes the screenplay. The narrative unfolds in Belarusian, English, and Russian, reflecting the multicultural backdrop of the story.
Plot overview
In “Exactly What It Seems,” a married couple, Nadia and Fedor, seek political asylum in the United States. However, their quest for freedom takes an unexpected turn when they are teleported back to Belarus through a mysterious quantum technology developed by scientists under a dictatorial regime. Hunted like criminals in their homeland, they must mend their dysfunctional relationship to secure their return to safety.
“It’s not an effects-heavy film, but a grounded version of our reality with one assumption: that this technology exists and everyone who’s nostalgic about Belarus can be immediately teleported back. It seems to work only one way, though, as only Belarusian memories are stored on the server,” Zhuk explained.
For some, this technology is a nightmare. Nadia and Fedor, wanted for political activism, find themselves in grave danger upon their return.
The power of genre
Zhuk and Zamirovskaya chose to use genre elements to address issues that might be too intense for a more realistic drama. Satire and science fiction create a necessary distance from the harsh realities of the current dictatorial regime, allowing for a nuanced examination of the emotional trauma following the failed revolution in Belarus in 2020. This approach also aims to engage a broader audience who may be unfamiliar with the current events in Belarus.
Zhuk’s journey and previous works
Zhuk’s 2018 drama, “Crystal Swan”, about a young DJ in the 1990s aspiring to achieve the American Dream, was Belarus’s submission for the Oscars’ Best Foreign Language Film category. This marked the country’s first submission in 22 years and opened many doors for Zhuk.
Since then, she has written and directed for major platforms like Apple TV+, FX/Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Europe. Some of her notable works include the detective drama “Zato” and “Russian Affairs”. Her work on Apple’s “Little America” was particularly personal.
“While making ‘Crystal Swan,’ my team and I reinvented the process of how one can produce a film without the support of the local film fund. We are looking to do it again with this project – on a bigger scale and in a harsher political climate,” Zhuk noted.
Themes and personal reflections
“Exactly What It Seems” will resonate with themes from Zhuk’s previous work, touching on the tortured relationship with her homeland and the cracks in the American Dream as experienced by new immigrants. The film is a dystopian science fiction drama that delves into toxic nostalgia and the search for identity against the backdrop of a totalitarian regime.
“I realize that my main character, Velya, in ‘Crystal Swan’ was also searching for her identity, lost between the chasm of being from Belarus but wanting to be free in America. Except now, there is an even deeper need to examine the core of who you are and your deep fears,” Zhuk reflected.
The production team
Belarus-born, Estonia-based producer Volia Chajkouskaya was selected for this year’s Locarno’s Match Me! Initiative and is also developing “Mono”, a story about a woman trying to understand what happened when she lost half of her hearing as a teen.
“I am so excited about this project,” said Chajkouskaya, who has been blacklisted by the Belarusian regime. “It speaks about my homeland Belarus, where I haven’t been for five years, and deals with timely and universal topics of totalitarian regimes, displacement, and identity.”
Chajkouskaya is confident in the team’s ability to bring this project to life, highlighting the collaboration with professionals she has known and admired for years.
Looking ahead
“Exactly What It Seems” is poised to be a significant addition to the landscape of contemporary cinema, offering a unique blend of satire, science fiction, and political commentary. For those interested in exploring the trailer and more information about the film, visit Exactly What It Seems.
As Zhuk continues to push boundaries and explore new narratives, her work remains a testament to the power of cinema in addressing complex social and political issues.
