A behavioral research team observes and attempts to replicate the experiences of the first manned mission to Mars.
Content Advisory: Suicide
A man becomes part of a behavioural research teaming observing and replicating the first crewed mission to Mars in Viking. David (Steve Laplante) is a man chosen by the Viking Society to take part in a simulation replicating the first human-crewed Mars mission currently in progress. David becomes the Earth-bound surrogate for crew member Thomas as he is joined by “Steven” (Larissa Corriveau), “Janet” (Fabiola N. Aladin), “Gary” (Hamza Haq), and “Liz” (Denis Houle), under the supervision by Christiane Comte (Marie Brassard) and Jean-Marc (Martin-David Peters). At first, this simulation crew focuses on trivial matters, such as the amount of sugar used in coffee. However, David/Thomas takes the initiative, knowing the importance of this mission.
Viking is a sci-fi/drama co-written and directed by Stéphane Lafleur (Tu Dors Nicole) about a behavioural research team assisting with the first crewed mission to Mars. When David joins the Viking Society’s project, he is sworn to secrecy. He is forced to leave everyone, including his girlfriend Isabelle (Marie-Laurence Moreau), as he leaves for the two-and-a-half-year project. However, David gets lost in the simulation, believing he is genuinely on Mars, making decisions that end up having consequences for those around him.
Taking place predominantly in a desert bunker, Viking can be described as a sci-fi film that is literally down-to-Earth. The film is a character study that examines the psychological effect this simulation had on David, right down to the fact that he won’t go outside without first putting on a spacesuit and is willing to receive the same injuries received by his Mars counterpart. Viking makes for a compelling space odyssey, even if it never enters space.