An independent animated film called “Moonfish” will debut at the Venice Film Festival, featuring the voices of established actress Lucy Liu and Morgan Spector from “The Gilded Age.” The black-and-white production tells the story of two astronauts navigating a lunar mission while facing corporate pressure to meet strict quotas in order to return home. Director Daniel Zvereff created the film as his directorial debut with support from the Biennale College Cinema program.
Liu described her involvement as an opportunity to support emerging filmmakers like Zvereff who work outside traditional studio systems. She expressed admiration for the creative freedom that independent production allows. Zvereff designed “Moonfish” as a commentary on contemporary society, using the isolated space setting as a metaphor for modern disconnection despite widespread connectivity. The director intentionally structured the 2D animation to showcase artistic craftsmanship, with Liu and Spector both noting the handmade quality that distinguishes the work from typical digital animation.
Spector, making his animated film debut, explained that his character experiences psychological strain during the mission. The film depicts a dystopian future where corporations and technology have merged into an oppressive system that exploits human workers. Despite exploring themes of isolation and despair, Zvereff incorporated ultimately hopeful messages about humanity’s future, allowing the emotional weight of the production process to transform into something unexpectedly positive.
Originally reported by Variety →
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