12 to the Moon

Set on the Moon during the first international expedition aboard Lunar Eagle 1, it follows a diverse crew of 12 scientists and two cats. The Moon’s surface is harsh and icy, with an air-filled cave that yields a warning from mysterious underground beings who fear Earthly contamination. As tensions between nations rise, the crew must balance scientific curiosity with the fragile hope of peaceful contact.

🌐 Internationalism

Earth's International Space Order seeks to claim the Moon as an international territory, bringing together a diverse crew from different nations. The mission highlights diplomatic strain and cooperation under pressure, showing how science can unite or divide when borders complicate exploration. As the crew debates their next steps, the film questions whether shared curiosity is enough to override national rivalries. The North American thaw crisis tests whether a global consensus can survive real-world tensions in space.

❤️ Love and Humanity

In the cold void, Sigrid and Selim share a tender moment that humanizes the mission and tests cultural boundaries. Their budding romance anchors the crew in emotional reality beyond protocol and politics. The Moon beings’ curiosity about love adds a philosophical layer to the voyage, suggesting that human warmth could be essential for peaceful contact. Their connection contrasts with the utilitarian, high-stakes nature of space exploration.

⚖️ Ethics of Contact

The Moon-beings demand Earth leave and even request leaving behind the cats as a test of intrusion. A message from the Great Coordinator frames Earth as potential contaminators of a harmonious, perfected order. The crew must decide whether intervention is permissible or if restraint is the responsible path. The dilemma intensifies as discoveries on the Moon force a reckoning with colonial impulses in space exploration.

⚔️ Betrayal and Sacrifice

Etienne’s sabotage exposes ideological rifts and threatens the mission’s cohesion. Feodor and David embark on a dangerous plan to thaw North America, leading to high-stakes, life-or-death decisions. Trust fractures under pressure, yet acts of courage and sacrifice ultimately steer the crew toward a hopeful outcome. The final twists reaffirm that honor and restraint can prevail even in the shadow of conflict.