agentorange [Celluloid 08.11.09] scifi



Believe it or not, Cargo was about 10 years in the making. Director Ivan Engler wrote over 8 entirely different versions of his scifi script before even attempting to secure funding and when he did in 2000, he hit a snag when 9/11 happened and everyone pulled their money out of the project. Determined to finish his dream project, Engler decided to make Cargo on a fraction of the budget with Swiss money only. So, the fact that this ambitious feature was made at all is a testament to Engler's passion and the tireless efforts of his talented team of supporters. This is why we're so damned excited to be the first site on the planet to premier the film's trailer and why we hope you all help spread the word on this exciting foreign science fiction thriller.

Synopsis:
The story of CARGO takes place on rusty space-freighter KASSANDRA on its way to Station 42. The young medic LAURA is the only one awake on board while the rest of the crew lies frozen in hibernation sleep. In 4 months will Laura's shift be over.

During her daily patrols, through the eerily empty ship, LAURA begins to get the feeling that she is not alone on-board. A discovery mission in the dark and ice-cold cargo hold ends in catastrophe. The remainder of the crew is awakened. A cat and mouse game begins in which nothing is what it seems. What lies hidden in the strange freight containers and who, or what, is also on-board?

The trailer itself is simply stunning. Visually, you'll see references to some of cinema's greatest claustrophobic scifi flicks including Alien and Event Horizon (and of course the comparisons to Pandorum are no doubt unavoidable) but Engler also brings something new to the mix. I love the cold, I love the orange jump suits and massive cargo deck with what looks like moving pedways. The production design and photography are top-notch and the CGI looks impeccable. Now our plan is get into a screening somehere because this looks like one that was made for the big screen.

In terms of what the "Cargo" is, well I'm afraid you won't find answers here. However, if you study the footage you'll see some clues. I'm pretty sure there might be some sort of hallucinating going on but things happen so quickly near the end of the trailer that it's hard to tell. All I know is that things look like they get pretty intense for the crew of the KASSANDRA.

Please note that the English titles were made by Engler himself, exclusively for this premier so thanks Ivan!

Trailer after the break.

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Jonas (3 years ago) Reply

Wooooo! I've been dying to see a trailer of this and that looked stunning. Let's hope this sparks an interest in more european space movies.

Avery (3 years ago) Reply

It looks awesome!! Still leaves me clueless as to what in the living hell is their cargo??

DmooN (3 years ago) Reply

I think that's the point;)
I'm amazed by what they pulled with such a small budget. It's going to kick ass!

Caoilte (3 years ago) Reply

Woooooo indeed! First Moon and now this. I hope this is the start in a trend of low budget "hard" scifi. There's really been a dirth of good scifi this decade.

Skinstripper (3 years ago) Reply

Looks good, I'm glad they're making more Sci-Fi. Can't they choose a story line that is sci-fi related, however? This could take place just as easy on Earth. Correct, it looks great for the budget. Definitely going to see this one. I don't think this is considered "hard", however, as that involves a reason to be in space and involves science, not a murder mystery so much.

Chad N. (3 years ago) Reply

That looks fantastic! Hope I can see it in a theatre close by.

Anonymous (3 years ago) Reply

One word YES!!!
So frickin stoked on this.

rek (3 years ago) Reply

Looks amazing!

Pat (3 years ago) Reply

this kicks PANDORUM's ass BIGTIME. way more interesting trailer. not anohter "OOUH NOH ITS SPACE ALIEN-ZOMBIE-MUTANTS".

fucken cool. beautifully shot as well i must say!

Lusi (3 years ago) Reply

In Space No One Can Hear Evil Get an Upgrade?

richard (3 years ago) Reply

awesome . . . but reminds me of 'alien' variation . . . bring it on!!

bill (3 years ago) Reply

Looks great but should be rescored. Crappy music ruins fab visuals.

Avon drake (3 years ago) Reply

So f***ing cool! i watched the full movie in L.A. at the film market the other day! i cannot believe how amazing it looks! why do we americans spend so much cash on SFX when the Swiss can do it for 1/10th of the price?!?! do not miss this film! does anyone know when its coming out in the US?!?!

inn3rligh7 (3 years ago) Reply

when it comes to our towns? (europe,germany)

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