“White Dwarf” (1995)

This was produced as a pilot for a television series that was never picked up. The critics, never kind at the best of times, were venomous toward it. It did win an award for cinematography. It has a odd charm. Its setting has melding of the past and the future. The space travelling far future, the Victorian and the medieval. This was probably as much for production cost as aesthetic. Using pre-existing props and sets. It also gives the world it is set upon as being far flung and out of the way. 

The film is set in the year 3040. A young doctor from New York is sent to intern at a clinic on a far away planet called Rusta. Rusta is tidally locked to its primary meaning that one side has permanent day and the other permanent stormy lashed night. The light side is roughly at a 19th century level of technology and ruled over by Governor Twist. Its not expressly said, but suggested that the light side is type of democracy. The dark side is a medieval kingdom ruled by an absolute monarchy. A huge wall separates the two sides. 

The two sides are at war. Attempts at piece made but the ceasefire is tenuous at best. 

This is a quirky and interesting film. Although it is not as fleshed out as it should be. As it was a pilot, many ideas were meant to be explored episodically. It is a shame that it was not picked up. Or, continued as books. Its a curious mixture of science fiction and fantasy.