Directors had commented that a different US release was made because the original showed an erect penis, which could not be released in the US. There is a bit of confusion about the clip in question, as it may not be included in every releases of the film. I think if you asked this question of Harry Martinsen at the time he wrote it, the answer would simply be, no. He experienced sensations of being on a spaceship. Was this ending chosen to show panspermia in action?įrom the poem and operetic adaptations Aniara is an epic of extinction, inspired by Martinsen gazing up at the Andromeda galaxy through a telescope one exceptionally clear evening in 1953, shortly after the Soviet Union conducted their first H-bomb test. Only answers which reference intent are appropriate (staff interviews and canonical references). I am not inviting film critique or interpretations and such are not appropriate for this site. But again, per the author that is an essential part of the story. This could be to protect the quite shocking and unexpected ending, or just because the reviewer was too lazy to sit through a 110 minute film. I have researched several online reviews and the all-important ending scene is normally glossed over, like in the case of this horrible New York Times review. “Their only concern was for us to stay true to the ending of the poem, which we also did.” “They were very open-minded and excited about the film,” she says. Kågerman obtained permission to adapt Martinson’s poem thanks to the blessings of the poet’s daughters, Harriet and Eva. Note the director has confirmed that the ending scene I am asking about is both true to the Swedish poem and a fundamental part of the story. Was it the film maker's intent to express the idea of panspermia?

However by the nature of that final scene,Īrriving at a lush water-covered planet in the Libra constellation that looks like a pristine young earthĬarrying remains of her 8,000 passengers and algae The name of the story itself implies despair, and it continually devolves in each act. The ending didn't seem to fit any of the sociological or scientific themes of Aniara.

Aniara poem