Filmmaker Statement

When I first read Matthew Miranda’s Laika, I was drawn to its creative blend of history and horror. The story reframes a scientific moment not as a milestone, but as quiet tragedy, Laika, the first living creature in orbit, sent to die in the name of progress. No traditional villains, just men doing their jobs. And yet, the guilt endures. That idea, how ordinary actions can leave behind lasting ghosts, inspired me deeply. Through animation, I explored this emotional weight, merging historical realism with surreal imagery. Laika is not just about a dog in space; it's about the emotional debris of ambition, the haunting echo of decisions we justify, and the humanity we risk losing in the name of advancement.