Since the dawn of civilization, as humans organized into groups and staked their claims over territories, the obsession with domination has been intrinsic to human nature. This drive for supremacy gave birth to the creation of adversaries, the construction of boundaries, and the politics of aggression. Over time, this obsession intensified, manifesting in tools of war-from cannons to nuclear weapons—and violent conflicts such as the World Wars. Ordinary lives, peaceful communities, and countless species have been consumed in this pursuit.

In the present world, amidst pandemics and global crises, we still sense the looming threat of a third world war. The title ICU reflects both the struggle for breath among ordinary people and the imaginary confrontation with global powers. This film portrays the persistent human and state obsession with domination, and the fragile survival of ordinary people caught in the machinery of political power. Through this lens, I explore the enduring tension between global authority and individual experience.