Eternal

An epic and tender Scandinavian science fiction film which centres on the lineage of scientist Elias, who specialises in climate change. The work is inspiring but gradually consumes him as he starts to prioritise his career over his relationship with aspiring singer Anita, whom he loves dearly. Elias soon embarks on a mission to investigate a crack in the ocean floor that threatens human existence and compounds the climate crisis. After years of dedicated and largely depressing work in claustrophobic conditions, he has a vision on one of his journeys, revealing what his life would have been like if he had chosen to prioritise his personal life instead. The film tilts into a heartfelt romance about the weight of fate and unfulfilled desires as the characters face the possible end of the world. The broad context is intertwined with the personal. Beneath the layers of haunting visuals, technological marvels and appealing subject matter lie intimate questions about human doubt, missed opportunities and existential mysteries. The dark caves and corners of the ocean symbolise our aching interior, which we are often afraid to look into. Director Ulaa Salim reveals the tender side of his work after having enchanted Danish audiences a few years ago with the dark thriller Sons of Denmark.