Ukrainian Film 'U Are the Universe' Listed Among the Best of 2024 by the British Film Institute

The British Film Institute has included the Ukrainian science fiction tragicomedy U Are the Universe by director Pavlo Ostrikov in its annual list of the best films of 2024. The announcement was made by Ukraine’s State Film Agency.

The film was selected as part of a list comprising 394 titles, curated through input from 118 cinema experts worldwide. Among those who identified U Are the Universe as a standout were Kaleem Aftab, director of international programming at the Red Sea International Film Festival, and British critic and video essayist Leigh Singer.

U Are the Universe tells the story of Andrii, portrayed by Volodymyr Kravchuk, a space trucker and the last human survivor after Earth’s destruction. His isolation is interrupted when he receives a transmission from Catherine, a woman in France. Despite the vast distance between them, Andrii embarks on a journey to meet her in what may be humanity’s final love story.

The British Film Institute, established in 1933, is a globally recognized cultural organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and developing cinematic art. Its annual list highlights exceptional works from across the world, reflecting its commitment to showcasing outstanding achievements in film.

Earlier, the Ukrainian film La Palisiada, directed by Philip Sotnychenko, was announced as part of the Razom for Ukraine cultural festival in New York, with a screening scheduled for October 24 at Quad Cinema.

The film, set in 1996, delves into a murder investigation intertwined with personal histories and unresolved ambitions, just before Ukraine’s moratorium on the death penalty came into effect.