“U Are the Universe” – the only screening in Tartu

Dear friends, the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia / Ukraina kinoklubi Eestis together with Kolo Books invite all Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine to a screening of the science-fiction film Movie night | Filmiõhtu | Кінопоказ: U Are the Universe | Oled kosmos | Ти — космос, which will take place on 23 May at 14:00 at the Elektriteater cinema!

In January we showed the film in Tallinn, and it filled the hall at Kino Sõprus. We are sure that this Saturday no fewer viewers will come to the Elektriteater in Tartu!

Buy your ticket now so you don’t miss another screening in Estonia of this tragicomic story about loneliness, hope and love!

“U Are the Universe” is a film that has won the hearts of audiences and critics – more than 328,000 viewers and UAH 60.9 million over 19 weeks in cinemas. It was named the best Ukrainian feature film of 2025 and ranks 5th among the highest-grossing films in the history of Ukrainian cinema.

But behind these figures there is much more than just success.

It is a film that warms you when it is dark all around, and it resonates especially strongly now – at a time when Ukraine lives with war, losses and a constant struggle for its future.

About the film

In the future, Ukrainian space trucker Andrii Melnyk is on a routine run – transporting radioactive waste from Earth. He is not alone on the ship: his only companion is the on-board computer Maksym – ironic, caring and very human. Then suddenly the Earth explodes. Andrii becomes, quite possibly, the last living person in the Universe.

Loneliness, silence, the cold of space – and an unexpected radio contact with the French scientist Catherine. They are separated by millions of kilometres and hours of signal delay, but something real is born between them. Conversations, jokes, memories, fears and hope. The hope of seeing each other. The hope of not being alone.

This is not a story about technology – it is a story about a person who, even at the edge of the Universe, longs for love, warmth and meaning.

Why this film matters so much today

Many viewers write that “U Are the Universe” feels like a metaphor for Ukraine at war: about isolation, loss and life after catastrophe – and at the same time about resilience, humour and the ability to love even when it seems the world has been destroyed.

Despite its fantastical form, it is a very down-to-earth and sincere film that gives a sense of warmth, support and inner light. The film does not press on you – it embraces you.

Music that sounds across the whole of space

A special magic of the film is the Ukrainian music that plays in open space:

Songs performed by Diana Petrynenko, Mykola Hnatiuk, Nazarii Yaremchuk, the bands “Smerichka” and “Kalyna”, and other songs familiar to many since childhood. They create a strange and beautiful contrast between the vastness of the Universe and the home that lives in memory.

A festival and audience hit

Pavlo Ostrikov’s directorial debut – tender, bold and very human. In January the President of Ukraine awarded Pavlo Ostrikov the honorary title of Honoured Artist of Ukraine, and in March he received the Shevchenko Prize for “U Are the Universe”. The film earned applause at international festivals, warm reviews from critics and became a true audience favourite. Its world premiere took place in September 2024 at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Work on the film took more than 7 years. It was made as a co-production between Ukraine (ForeFilms) and Belgium

Cast:

• Andrii – Volodymyr Kravchuk
• Robot Maksym – Leonid Popadko
• Catherine (voice) – Alexia Depicker
• Catherine (image) – Dariia Plakhtii
• Director – Maksym Maksymiuk

The screening is organised by the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia and Mittetulundusühing KOLO as part of the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia, which operates with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia!

The film will be shown in Ukrainian with English subtitles!

23 May | 14:00

Tartu Elektriteater cinema

Don’t miss this incredible story about space and a love that is stronger than distance, fear and even the end of the world!