Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut

In 1960, it was a race to space for the superpowers, and Lev, an aspiring cosmonaut, is assigned to the Nosferatu Plan, where he must oversee and train Irina, the vampire, a test subject to be sent ahead into space ahead of the humans. With her race revered as “the cursed ones”, Lev tentatively approaches his assignment.

The training begins. Irina excels in her intensive training regimen with her exceptional physical abilities and defiant spirit. But the cold treatment she receives from her peers makes her unwilling to open up to Lev. The training was expected to proceed smoothly, but Irina’s critical weakness was later discovered.

After ten days of training, Irina, despite her excellent performance so far, is unable to perform the parachute training vital to becoming a cosmonaut due to her fear of heights. Thinking perhaps learning the beauty of the sky will help her overcome her fear, Lev comes up with a plan to help Irina.

The launch date is set for 12 December. Only three weeks left for training. Irina and Lev head into the city to relax. Irina is fascinated by the night scenery in the city streets. She later ends up getting drunk after having drinks in a jazz bar.

14 days until the launch. Irina undergoes solitude training in the anechoic chamber while Lev trains with the other reserve candidates. Just then, Lyudmila Kharlova, a high-ranking government official, arrives to inspect Irina’s progress.

After witnessing the death of the test dog, Irina suffers nightmares from shock. Unable to even eat, she eventually collapses during her training. Lev resorts to desperate measures to restore the vampire’s health.

The preparations for the launch continue during Lev’s absence. Irina is given an alias and instructed to communicate using codes disguised as recipes to maintain confidentiality and discretion. Under the supervision of only a few, the classified launch begins.

Irina survives, but her achievements will not be made public. Worse still, she faces the threat of being disposed of for knowing too much. On the other hand, Lev is promoted from Irina’s handler to a cosmonaut candidate. The two embark on different paths towards the universe.

Lev is selected as one of the final six candidates, and he will have to compete against Mikhail and Rosa for the ultimate position of the lead cosmonaut. They undergo days of consecutive intensive training. When Rosa loses focus during the parachute landing training, Lev risks his life to save her.

On their day off, Lev and Irina head to the city. They spend the night together, watching a movie and sharing a meal by the lake. The two have gotten closer during their brief time together. Irina feels sad that she and Lev will soon part ways.

12 April 1961. The day of the launch has finally arrived. Carrying the hopes and expectations of the human race, Lev heads into space as the first human cosmonaut, taking a path to the galaxy opened and made possible by Irina. He sees the glorious sight she had described to him.

Lev receives a grand reception upon his return, having accomplished a great feat for humankind. But Irina is nowhere in sight. A ceremony is held in the capital to commemorate the event, and he is to give a speech that has been vetted. Lev questions if this is the outcome he wanted. Was this the future he and Irina truly wanted?