Independent, well imagined, poetic, existential sci-fi Aniara is based on a science fiction poem of the same name, written by the Swedish Nobel laureate Harry Martinson. The title comes from ancient Greek meaning "sad, despairing," but the film celebrates beauty, melancholy, science and art in its own unique ways.
Refreshingly non formulaic in its treatment of a population of people cast together on an open ended journey into deep space. Intelligently engaging (sorry, no terrorists, aliens or explosions,) Aniara is well written and crafted. An honest, smartly peopled, smartly imagined tech and smartly edited film, the story spans extended time periods effortlessly (trusting the viewer does not need the plot spelled out in join the dots format) Devoid of unrealistically pretty "L.A." faces, we have believable characters, real people, behaving in believably complex and unexpected ways.
In short, unassuming, authentic film making worthy of the craft.
I'll add a limited quote here (to avoid spoilers) from an article (on the gutenburg site) on the epic poem itself.
"One of the major themes explored is the nature and necessity of art, symbolised by the semi-mystical machinery of the Mima, who relieves the ennui of crew and passengers with scenes of far-off times and places, and whose operator is also the sometimes naïve main narrator. The rooms of Mima, according to Martinson, represent different kinds of life styles or forms of consciousness..."