What Is Planetarium About?
The premise of Planetarium in 283 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the glittering, shadow-draped world of 1930s Paris, two American sisters — Laura and Kate Barlow — arrive with a gift both rare and unsettling. Their act, performed in cabarets and private salons, blends showmanship with the uncanny: Laura serves as the elegant host while Kate, possessing an uncanny sensitivity, draws audiences into encounters with spirits they cannot see. Whispers follow them through the city’s vibrant nightlife, hinting at something more than theatrical illusion.
Their reputation catches the eye of André Korben, a French film producer enchanted by the possibilities of cinema and hungry to push beyond the boundaries of the familiar. Fascinated by the sisters’ enigmatic presence and the rumors that surround them, he draws them into his orbit, seeking to capture on film what others have only glimpsed in candlelit rooms. As he becomes increasingly involved with Laura and Kate, his professional ambitions blur with a deeper, more personal curiosity about the nature of what they channel.
Beneath the seductive glamour of Paris, a more complicated world is taking shape. The sisters find themselves settling into a strange new existence, their performances becoming intertwined with the ambitions of a man whose motives remain tantalizingly unclear. Laura, captivating and pragmatic, moves through this world with poise, while Kate’s quiet intensity suggests depths not easily reached. Meanwhile, the city itself begins to shift as darker currents stir just beyond the velvet curtains of its theaters and studios.
Together, the three orbit one another in a haze of possibility, where the line between performance and truth, art and the inexplicable, grows thinner by the night. The atmosphere is dreamlike, charged with the sense that something profound — and possibly dangerous — is being awakened.
What Happens in Planetarium?
The complete story of Planetarium, from the first scene to the last, in 500 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
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.
Planetarium Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Journey to France” to “Leaving Spiritualism Behind”. 13 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Journey to France
In the late 1930s, sisters Laura and Kate Barlow travel to France, seeking new opportunities and adventure. They bring with them their unique talent for performing séances, which captivates audiences in the vibrant cabaret scene.
When:Late 1930s Where:France
- 2
Discovery by Producer
During one of their public performances, the sisters attract the attention of Andre Korben, a French film producer. Impressed by their séance act, he invites them to perform privately, where a spirit's appearance deeply moves him.
Where:Cabaret
- 3
Innovative Film Idea
Feeling stifled by the French film industry's lack of creativity, Korben proposes to film a séance live to capture genuine spirit communication. Despite initial excitement, the resulting footage is deemed laughable, but it convinces the director of Laura's captivating presence.
Where:Korben's office
- 4
Love Triangle Concept
The film team decides to rewrite the concept, creating a narrative in which Laura portrays a medium connecting with a widower's deceased wife. This complex love triangle complicates emotions, leaving the widower torn between two loves, living and beyond.
Where:Film studio
- 5
Living Arrangements
Laura and Kate move in with Korben, grateful for his generosity and support. However, tensions rise as Korben secretly conducts private séances with Kate, creating jealousy in Laura, who fears that Korben's interest is entwined with a sexual fascination for the spirit world.
Where:Korben's residence
- 6
Filming at the Coast
To further the film project, Laura travels to the coast for on-location filming. While there, she begins to sense the impending danger of growing anti-Semitism, which threatens both her safety and Korben's career due to scandalous rumors about his past.
Where:Coast of France
- 7
Confronting Rumors
While on the coast, Laura is shaken by the hatred brewing around her as she discovers anti-Semitic messages directed at her. The pressures of society make her realize that someone's malicious intent is damaging Korben's reputation and livelihood.
Where:Coast of France
- 8
Unveiling Truths
When Korben arrives with Kate to reunite with Laura, he proudly presents footage taken with Kate to investors. However, the lack of substance in the film leads to backlash, and the director walks off in frustration, blaming Korben's obsession with ghost hunting.
Where:Film studio
- 9
Kate's Revelation
Amidst the chaos, Kate falls gravely ill and confesses that her ability to see spirits is genuine. She reveals that her condition is due to leukemia, a devastating diagnosis that deeply affects both her and Laura's life choices.
Where:Korben's residence
- 10
Korben's Downfall
As financial crises mount due to the failed film venture, Korben faces legal repercussions. He is jailed for wasting investor funds, and the trial results in him losing his French citizenship amidst escalating political conflict in Europe.
Where:Courtroom
Show the other 3 events of Planetarium Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Change of Fate
Years pass, and tragedy strikes as Kate succumbs to leukemia, leaving Laura to navigate a world forever altered. Meanwhile, Korben's fate takes a dark turn as he is sent to a death camp during the rise of Nazi power in France.
Where:Death camp
- 12
A New Opportunity
In a twist of fate, Laura serendipitously meets Eva, an actress from her past who offers her a role in an upcoming film. This reconnection provides Laura a chance to relaunch her acting career with a renowned director, distancing herself from her previous life.
Where:Film set
- 13
Leaving Spiritualism Behind
With the help of friends in the industry, Laura fully steps away from her past entanglement with spiritualism and Korben. Embracing a new chapter, she begins to regain her footing in the film industry during the turbulent Nazi era in France.
Where:Film studio
Who Are the Main Characters in Planetarium?
3 characters, among them Laura Barlow, Kate Barlow and Andre Korben: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Laura Barlow
Played by Natalie Portman
Laura is a complex character struggling between her ambition and her sister's mystical gifts. She is determined and resourceful, yet often feels overshadowed by Kate's abilities. Throughout the film, Laura grapples with her feelings for Korben and the implications of the spirit world that surrounds them.
- 👩❤️👨 Love
- 🎭 Ambition
- 🌌 Spiritualism
-
Kate Barlow
Played by Lily-Rose Melody Depp
Kate is Laura’s younger sister, possessing a mysterious ability to see spirits that deeply impacts their lives. Though initially presented as lighthearted and carefree, her character reveals a profound depth and vulnerability, particularly as she faces her impending illness. Her connection to the spirit world complicates her relationship with Korben and Laura.
- 👻 Spirituality
- ⚡ Vulnerability
- 💔 Sickness
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Andre Korben
Played by Louis Garrel
Korben is a French film producer who becomes infatuated with Laura and the idea of spiritualism. His ambition drives him to make sacrifices that ultimately lead to his downfall. Although well-meaning and kind at first, his obsessive quest for innovation and fame creates tension within the romantic triangle.
- 🎥 Film
- 💔 Obsession
- ❌ Downfall
Where and When Is Planetarium Set?
Planetarium is set in France and Coast (Late 1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Late 1930s
The late 1930s in France was marked by a rise in anti-Semitism and significant cultural shifts as the world prepared for impending conflict. It was a period of decline in the film industry, reflecting waning artistic innovation amidst looming war. The film also reflects the social and political anxieties of the time, which ultimately impacts the characters’ fates.
Where
France, Coast
The movie is set in late 1930s France, a time of artistic exploration and societal turmoil. The vibrant cabaret scene serves as a backdrop for the sisters' séances, showcasing a mix of creativity and intrigue. The coastal setting later highlights the isolation and changing political climate leading up to World War II.
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🌊 Coast
What Are the Themes of Planetarium?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love Triangle, Anti-Semitism and Film Industry.
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01
Love Triangle
The theme of a love triangle emerges as Laura, Kate, and Korben's relationships intertwine with love, jealousy, and ambition. Laura struggles with her feelings for Korben while grappling with her sister's unique gift and connection to him. The tension escalates as Kate’s health deteriorates, further complicating their emotions and relationships.
-
02
Anti-Semitism
The film poignantly addresses the rise of anti-Semitism in France during the late 1930s. Laura's awareness of the dangers surrounding her due to her Jewish roots amplifies the urgency of her situation. This societal prejudice shapes the characters’ destinies, illustrating the harsh realities many faced during this tumultuous era.
-
03
Film Industry
The narrative delves into the evolving film industry of the time, exploring themes of innovation, exploitation, and artistic integrity. Korben's attempts to film séances reflect a clash between traditional cinema and new ideas. The characters' experiences highlight the pressures and challenges faced by artists trying to succeed amidst changing societal values.
What Kind of Film Is Planetarium?
Bleak in tone, with slow pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bleak
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Mixed
An atmospheric period drama suffused with melancholy and the supernatural, following sisters whose gift draws them into the orbit of a captivated filmmaker as the shadow of fascism falls over Paris.
- melancholic
- atmospheric
- eerie
- somber
- haunting
- dreamlike
- supernatural
- holocaust
- sister bond
- film industry
Content notes: holocaust, concentration camps, terminal illness, death of sibling, anti-semitism, exploitation.
Quiz
How well do you remember Planetarium? Test yourself on the story.
