Saturn is a character-based science Fiction film about a family in a picturesque seaside town whose lives are upended when a strange planet appears in the sky on a collision course for Earth.
The planet’s appearance brings back a life that James thought he had left years ago when he settled down with his wife and young son. But, with the outside world in chaos and his perfect family slowly falling apart, James must decide between running from his destiny or sacrificing everything he loves.
We slowly learn that James is more than meets the eye. He has a secret he’s never shared with anyone… a secret that is humanity’s only hope.
Taking inspiration from classic and modern sci-fi, Saturn asks a simple question: how far would you go to save those you love?
Saturn is complete and in festival submission.
Director’s note
I’m inspired by stories set in mythical worlds. These tales, often filled with grand adventures and magical lands, initially seem far more fantastic than our own. But as the story unfolds, the most unlikely characters become the heroes: a Hobbit destroys an evil ring, a computer programmer frees the enslaved, a farm boy saves a galaxy. We can identify with the everyday in these characters. And in the same way, the choices we make in our own world have profound impact—unlikely heroes really are are all around us.
Saturn invites us to look deep within ourselves. To consider who we are. To determine what we’re willing to fight for, even in the midst of our own struggle. Every choice to do good, as the film says, is not a shout in the dark but a wave that will grow and continue on. And even if we don’t see the change with our own eyes, it’s all still worth fighting for.
I’m excited to share the film with you.
About the Director
Eric Esau is an American film director known for the docu-narrative feature film The Heart of Man, which screened internationally in 800 theaters across 30 countries. He also directed the award-winning documentary Rape for Profit, executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith.
Through his production company Mew Studios, he has directed documentaries and commercials for international brands like Amazon, Microsoft, and Costco.
His latest film, Saturn, an original feature which he wrote and directed, is currently in the festival circuit.
We lucked out with the cast of Saturn. Some of the most talented actors we’ve worked with, fresh off performances in hit film and tv—each character brought to life powerfully and vividly. These are characters we want to see more of.
Dominic Bogart - ‘James’ [IMDB]
I am not a Hipster, Just Mercy, The Glass Castle
Elijah Maximus - ‘George’ [IMDB]
FOX: Barkskins, The Carol of the Bells
Marimar Vega - ‘Nibiru’ [IMDB]
La Boda de Valentina, Daniel and Ana
Matt Angel - ‘Mark’ [IMDB]
Netflix Original The Open House, Netflix: Lincoln Lawyer
Olivia Sui - ‘Samantha’ [IMDB]
Smosh, Instagram: 750k followers
Unique for an independent film, Saturn’s locations are diverse and expansive. The film goes from a borderline-Rockwellian town to the seemingly unending expanse of a winter’s beach, from high on the cliffs of a desert to the inside of a nuclear reactor tower. Oh, and there’s a cave underneath a 100 year old “tree of life.”
Check out the Behind the Scenes page for more.
With exciting action set pieces, compelling performances, and far-off locations, Saturn is more than meets the eye. But what connects most us are the characters, and Saturn’s are a reflection of ourselves. This, combined with a sci-fi feel that is instantly recognizable but feels fresh and new, means that Saturn will appeal to die-hard fans of the genre and new viewers alike.
time travel science fiction - arrival
In Saturn, time travel is used as a device to portray emotion. Explaining mind-bending questions in very “everyman” terms that the audience can understand. Asking and answering these questions creates incredible reveals and twists that impress viewers.
Non-linear storytelling - interstellar
Saturn takes time to help audiences understand the world it has created. And by jumping back-and-forth in time, we create pictures of each character that allow for additional stories in the series.
family drama - this is us
Saturn doesn’t shy away from difficult questions about relationships, addiction, and responsibility. Layered characters that the audience can identify with tell the story in a lasting, impactful way.
For more information, distribution enquiries, or to request a screener, please use the form below.
