Jupiter's Moon - (2017)


Jupiter's Moon 2017 film review


Jupiter’s Moon is a Hungarian foreign language film following the story of a young Syrian refugee named Aryan whom is struggling to get into Hungary through a heavily policed smugglers route.

The film details a story of fact and fiction that soon develops into a tale befitting the genre of modern sci-fi.

Jupiter’s Moon touches on a wide range of themes set on the ongoing international refugee crisis out of the Middle East as well as efforts done by people to make profit from migrants affected by the crisis.

Synopsis


Aryan and his father are migrants fleeing conflict from the Middle East. In an effort to escape from conflict, they find themselves in Serbia at the Hungarian border.

While attempting to cross the border with a boatload of migrants they are shot at. Then all chaos ensues. People are dying all around Aryan, people are running in every direction and migrants are abandoning all of their belongings in panic.

Aryan and his father are separated in the crossfire. Both are wounded and appear to be dead. However, by some sort of miracle Aryan comes back to life. Aryan awakes in the woods hours after the ordeal. He comes to find out that in addition to surviving he has gained some unexplainable powers. He can levitate and magically move things around him.

Scared out of his wits, Aryan goes back to where he lost his father, retrieves his belongings and makes his way out of the woods towards civilization.

Ultimately, Aryan finds himself at a refugee camp where he meets a doctor there by the name of Dr. Stern. When Aryan shows the doctor his “wounds” Stern cannot believe how the boy survived multiple gunshots to his vital organs. Then he is altogether floored when the boy reveals his new powers to him. After the understandable shock wears off, the doctor realizes just how extraordinary Aryan’s powers are.

Stern envisions a future where he could make millions of dollars off of the boy’s abilities. With dollar signs in his eyes, Stern promises to help find Aryan’s father if Aryan can help him make some money.

The remainder of the film follows the unlikely duo as Stern attempts to exploit Aryan’s abilities for his own personal gain by selling lies to the boy. He see’s Aryan as a way to better his life, reaping the rewards of the boy’s miracles.

Jupiter’s Moon goes onwards to follow the two characters as Aryan’s powers are trafficked across the city by Stern for very little in return. Alluding to the bigger theme at hand of immigrants being trafficked, used and exploited by others in Europe.

Important Themes


Jupiter’s Moon tells a story that brilliantly merges the real world with that of science fiction. In doing so, the film allows for the “magic” of the aforementioned super power, powerfully contrast with that of the bleak setting and circumstance of the migrants caught in conflict.

From this aspect Hungary is a good example for the embodiment of one of Jupiter’s real life moons, that being Europa.

The ongoing refugee crisis has caused millions of stateless migrants. They have no homes, experience massive conflicts in various forms and have to fight extremely hard for things we here in the West take for granted; like shelter or clean water.

Previously I have spoken about the refugee crisis in other posts, so this time around I will strictly focus on the exploitation of Asian migrants in Europe. But if you are interested in reading more on the origin of the refugee crisis you can read my previous post on the film Insyriated.

Or if you are interested in other films with similar themes feel free to check out The Paradise Suite and Terraferma.

The Syrian Civil War and subsequent instability in the Middle East has led swathes of migrants to the shores of Europe.

Despite the vast majority of migrants being taken in by neighboring countries like Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon; thousands of migrants (both successfully and unsuccessfully) attempt to make their way into Europe.

This has led to many European countries closing their borders or significantly limiting the numbers of refugees they allow in. However, this has also led to the rise of an industry being created off refugees by Europeans.

Some refugees find themselves in such dire conditions where there is no alternative other than paying huge sums to smugglers and human traffickers to get them to Europe. Many refugees who take this route end up paying substantial sums to smugglers. Many immediately end up going into debt as a result.

There is also no guarantee that they will reach their destination. Additionally those who do make it to Europe are often met with even more strife.

In refugee camps around Europe, people are heavily mistreated. It is reported that there is widespread torture, rape and exploitation of refugees. Women especially are the biggest victims of exploitation.

There is also a disturbing growth of a “refugee porn” industry (especially in Germany) where women are taken advantage of both willing and unwillingly. Showing just how vile industries are made from human suffering.

Jupiter’s Moon touches on this theme directly with its storyline, showing how those in Europe seek to turn a profit from struggling refugees.

Conclusion


Jupiter’s Moon is a fantastic film. It details a story of strife, conflict and survival in a setting riddled with exploitation, non-existent moral values and money.

The backdrop of the film details a real and troubling issue facing refugees in Europe. When the sci-fi twist is introduced, it pushes the film forwards to zero in on the issue of exploitation of migrants. Depicting that even if something as fantastical and beautiful comes from a refugee, they still will most likely be victims of exploitation.

The Hungarian film is a marvel. Despite being a sci-fi film, it somehow still tells a believable story. I mean think about it. A guy who can levitate and move things with his mind? Totally crazy. And yet, you can easily see it happening somehow.

I think most of that has do with just how well everything about the refugee crisis was laid out. Setting the stage for the film to go into a spectacular direction.

Honestly you should just go on and watch Jupiter’s Moon. It’s a clever film that will surprise you in more than one way.

Ali Tamachi

Alik is a marketer and writer who creates compelling "chef's kiss" worthy marketing and advertising collateral. Outside of his professional setting he is a big film nerd, loves reading, running and doing digital art. Feel free to follow him on his journey from the links below.

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