In 2004, young illustrator Sonja Schmidt (Ella Rae Rappaport) joins a magazine crew heading into a radioactive zone in Kazakhstan where there might be centaurs… and possibly a famous writer in hiding.

The Aniara directing duo were inspired by German author Arno Schmidt’s 1957 novel, as well as Pella Kågerman’s own experiences from the magazine business, as they crafted this wild sci-fi comedy that gets off to a good start but really doesn’t know where to go in the zone, or what to say about it.

Far from hypnotic à la Stalker (1979).

2025-Sweden. 93 min. Color. Written and directed by Pella Kågerman, Hugo Lilja. Production Design: Pella Kågerman. Cast: Ella Rae Rappaport (Sonja Schmidt), Tyler Labine (Dino Davis), Arvin Kananian (Turan Hiram), Emma Creed, Andrew Lowery, Gina Dirawi. 

Guldbagge Award: Best Production Design.