Planetarium 2017

In the late 1930s, two American sisters, Laura and Kate Barlow, embark on a journey to France to showcase their unique talent of performing séances at various cabarets. In these performances, Laura takes on the role of the host while Kate, with her innate ability, channels spirits, captivating audiences with their act. Their public séance catches the eye of French film producer Andre Korben, who, impressed by what he witnesses, invites them for a more intimate private session. During this encounter, he becomes enchanted by a spirit that appears, igniting a spark of creativity within him.

However, Korben finds himself stifled by the stagnant French film industry and seeks to innovate by capturing a séance on film. Unfortunately, the results are far from impressive, leading to reels that appear ludicrous. Nonetheless, Korben finds his interest piqued by Laura, who, despite lacking genuine spiritualist beliefs, possesses a captivating visage that photographs beautifully. To blend the boundaries between art and reality, the film crew then concocts a conventional script where Laura delicately navigates a love triangle, portraying a medium who channels the spirit of a widower’s deceased wife, thereby confusing him as he grapples with his feelings for both the medium and his lost love.

As Laura and Kate settle into Korben’s home, his charm and generosity provide them with comfort. However, tensions rise as Korben continues to hold private séances with Kate, stirring unease within Laura, who harbors suspicions about her sister’s involvement and Korben’s true intentions—fearing his fascination with the supernatural may be more than just artistic. As circumstances unfold, Laura is compelled to depart for the coast to advance filming, leading Korben to take Kate to a metaphysical scientist to film their séances together.

On the coast, Laura becomes increasingly aware of the shifting social climate as anti-Semitism rises, presenting a growing threat to Korben. Whispers about his past and scandalous rumors begin to circulate, culminating in a troubling revelation when someone scrawls an anti-Semitic slur on her mirror. Eventually, when Korben and Kate seek to reunite with Laura, it becomes apparent that Korben has little to show for his efforts to capture the ethereal on film, as he presents a collection of underwhelming footage. Following this, the director, frustrated by Korben’s mismanagement of resources, walks away from the project, blaming it on the futile chase after spirits.

Amidst these tumultuous events, Kate falls seriously ill, revealing that her visions are genuine and not mere illusions—she is facing leukemia, a devastating diagnosis during that era. Korben’s financial failures lead to his arrest for squandered investments, resulting in his losing French citizenship.

Years later, with the tragedy of Kate’s passing and Korben’s grim fate in a death camp, Laura fortuitously encounters Eva, an actress from her past. With her assistance, Laura secures a role in a film directed by her former collaborator. Having distanced herself from spiritualism and the turmoil surrounding Korben, Laura finds herself on a promising path in the film industry amidst the challenging backdrop of Nazi-era France.