'Kalewa' is compelling, if not entirely fulfilling. Promise of a sci-fi tale is slightly undercut by emphasis on the human element: The story is partly one small step for man, but more so one giant tug on the heartstrings.
The duration is split between the tale of an astronaut undertaking a solo mission on a distant world, and flashbacks to the dramatic last evening at home on Earth before he departed. Both aspects are so simple in their telling that, however well conceived, neither alone would have enough substance to stand on its own. Edited together into one feature, alternating back and forth, a more complete picture resolves. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts as both halves reach their climax roughly back to back.
Still, even as the two disparate parts work in tandem to stand tall, something feels like it's missing. It doesn't feel like 'Kalewa' is entirely complete. I can't quite place my finger on it, and I can't wholly make sense of it, either - but at the same time that one aspect rounds out and supports the other, I feel a bit like weaving them together so tightly also chokes out additional story that could be told, from either angle.
That doesn't make it bad by any means, and let's be honest, I'm nitpicking. Because even while 'Kalewa' isn't totally satisfying, the narrative is still sufficiently captivating to keep us engaged to the end. Viewers looking for hardcore, immersive, expansive sci-fi storytelling may feel put out, but for a more general audience, this is worth checking out if you come across it.
