Attraction (2017 film)

Attraction (Russian: Притяжение, Prityazhenie) is a 2017 Russian science fiction film directed by Fedor Bondarchuk. The plot revolves around the crash landing of an alien spaceship in Moscow and the reactions of the local population, government, and military.

Synopsis

After a UFO crashes in Moscow, tensions rise as the military attempts to secure the area and the local residents react with a mixture of curiosity, fear, and hostility. A young woman, Yulia, becomes entangled with one of the alien visitors, Hekon, forming a complex relationship that tests human understanding and tolerance. The film explores themes of xenophobia, prejudice, and the potential for understanding between different cultures and species. The military seeks to understand the alien technology and the purpose of the ship, while Yulia and Hekon try to navigate the growing conflict between humans and the extraterrestrial presence.

Cast

• Irina Starshenbaum as Yulia Lebedeva
• Alexander Petrov as Artyom 'Tema' Tkachev
• Rinal Mukhametov as Hekon
• Oleg Menshikov as Colonel Valentin Lebedev, Yulia's father
• Sergey Garmash as Vice Premier

Production

The film was produced by Art Pictures Studio, Vodorod, and NMG Studio. Significant effort was put into the visual effects to depict the alien spacecraft and technology realistically.

Release and Reception

Attraction was released in Russia on January 26, 2017, and internationally in subsequent months. The film was a box office success in Russia, becoming one of the highest-grossing Russian films of the year. It received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its visual effects and ambitious scope, but criticism for its plot and character development. The film's exploration of social themes related to immigration and cultural conflict resonated with some audiences.

Sequel

A sequel, Invasion (Russian: Вторжение, Vtorzhenie), was released in 2020, continuing the story of the alien presence on Earth and its impact on humanity.