Gagarine is a French drama film that was released in 2020. Directed by Jérémy Trouilh and Fanny Liatard, the movie follows the story of a young man named Youri (Alseni Bathily) who lives in the Gagarine housing project in Ivry-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris. The housing project was built in the 1960s and was named after Yuri Gagarin, the first person to travel to space.
Youri has grown up in Gagarine and is deeply attached to the place. He dreams of becoming an astronaut and building a spaceship that will take him to space. Youri's mother is struggling to make ends meet, and the family faces eviction as the city wants to demolish the Gagarine project to make way for a new development.
In an effort to save his home, Youri decides to take matters into his own hands. He decides to renovate an abandoned apartment that has been deemed uninhabitable and turn it into a space capsule, where he can live and work on his spaceship. With the help of his friends Houssam (Jamil McCraven) and Diana (Lyna Khoudri), Youri sets out to make his dream a reality.
As they work on the space capsule, Youri and his friends face challenges and obstacles, including resistance from the city authorities, who are determined to demolish the Gagarine project. Youri's vision and determination inspire his community, and more and more people begin to join him in his quest to preserve their home.
Gagarine is a film about the power of dreams and the resilience of a community facing adversity. It explores themes of identity, belonging, and the bonds that tie people together. The film is shot beautifully, capturing the gritty reality of life in a housing project and the beauty of Youri's imagination.
The young actors in the film deliver memorable performances, bringing depth and nuance to their characters. Alseni Bathily shines as Youri, capturing the mix of vulnerability and determination that drives him. Lyna Khoudri brings a quiet strength to her role as Diana, while Jamil McCraven brings humor and warmth to the character of Houssam.
The film is also notable for its use of real-life Gagarine residents as extras and supporting actors, adding authenticity to the story. The filmmakers spent years researching and preparing for the film, and their dedication shows in the final product.
Overall, Gagarine is a moving and inspiring film that speaks to the power of community, imagination, and the human spirit. It is a beautiful tribute to the Gagarine housing project and the people who call it home.
Gagarine is a 2022 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 74.
