Darya Zhuk Sets Stage for ‘Exactly What It Seems,’ a Dystopian Sci-Fi Drama After ‘Crystal Swan’

Darya Zhuk, the Belarusian director known for her debut feature “Crystal Swan,” is set to direct “Exactly What It Seems,” a dark science fiction satire that critiques modern authoritarianism.

The film, produced by Volia Chajkouskaya and Ivo Felt of Allfilm, along with Violetta Krechetova, is based on Tatsiana Zamirovskaya’s short story, who will co-write the screenplay. The project will be filmed in Belarusian, English, and Russian.

Allfilm, co-founded by Felt, has a reputation for remarkable works including the Oscar-nominated “Tangerines” and Klaus Härö’s Golden Globe-nominated “The Fencer.” In “Exactly What It Seems,” the narrative follows a married couple, Nadia and Fedor, who are seeking political asylum in the US.

They are unexpectedly transported back to Belarus through advanced quantum technology developed under a dictatorial regime. As they are pursued in their homeland, they must address their troubled relationship to find safety.

“This film is less about special effects and more about a plausible reality with one key premise: that this technology exists and can teleport those nostalgic for Belarus back. It appears to work only for Belarusian memories,” Zhuk told Variety. “For some, this technology could be a nightmare, especially for my protagonists who are in danger due to their political activities.”

Zhuk and Zamirovskaya chose to use satire and science fiction to address issues that might be too stark if presented as a realistic drama. “Satire and sci-fi create the right distance from the harsh realities of a dictatorial regime and the emotional trauma of Belarus’s failed 2020 revolution,” Zhuk said.

Following the success of her 2018 drama “Crystal Swan,” which was Belarus’s first Oscar submission in 22 years, Zhuk has continued to work on various projects for Apple TV+, FX/Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Europe. She described her work on “Crystal Swan” as transformative and is eager to replicate that success on a larger scale with “Exactly What It Seems.”

The new film will continue themes from her previous work, focusing on the tension between nostalgia and identity against a totalitarian backdrop. “It’s a dystopian drama exploring toxic nostalgia and identity crises,” Zhuk explained.

Producer Volia Chajkouskaya, who has been blacklisted by the Belarusian regime, is also working on “Mono,” a project about a woman who loses half of her hearing as a teenager. “I’m thrilled about this project as it addresses universal issues of totalitarianism, displacement, and identity,” Chajkouskaya said. “With an excellent team and dedicated professionals, I’m confident we’ll find the resources to bring this film to fruition.”