SXSW: A Space Program Review - NP Approved

A Space Program (2015)

Cast: Hailey Gates
Director: Van Neistat, Tom Sachs
Country: USA
Genre: Documentary | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi
Official Trailer: Here

Editor’s Notes: The following review is part of our coverage of the 2015 South by Southwest Film Festival. For more information visit sxsw.com and follow SXSW on Twitter at @sxsw.

Count this as my favorite discovery at SXSW. A Space Program will polarize audiences. In fact, many people walked out during the World Premiere screening. The mockumentary/performance piece is sci-fi by way of Wes Anderson. Writers and directors Van Neistat and Tom Sachs constructed the basics required for space travel: space shuttle, space suits, communication devices and an elaborate control room all in the style of 1970s NASA. For example, the members of the control room wear their hair short, wear horned rimmed glasses and drink a lot of coffee.

The mockumentary/performance piece is sci-fi by way of Wes Anderson.

The mission is to send two women to Mars and to answer the question, “Are we alone?” The audience is treated to introductions from every member of the team. The introductions may throw off some of the audience because the engineers talk about building a spacecraft out of fragile materials like plywood and other materials that would not survive space travel. There should be no remaining questions about the tone, style and direction once the shuttle launch sequence is over. By this point you’re in or you’re out, hopefully the former. A Space Program serves as an artistic performance piece with many moving parts. Everyone involved is invested 100%, following Sachs’s and Neistat’s vision with such devotion that for a while the audience will forget they’re watching a performance.

The entire performance takes place on a stage with a live audience. Remember that iconic sequence when Michael Bay launched his oil drillers into space in Armageddon? Sachs puts his spin on that sequence by using simple tools such as a miniature rocket model with a man firing a blowtorch to simulate the takeoff shots. The audience is also treated to hand-drawn shots that would otherwise serve as storyboard in other films, but those drawings serve as the shot on the big screen. Some of this is also handled by a man wearing black gloves and a long sleeve black shirt to simulate a spacecraft flying in space. Again, this sounds absurd but it works beautifully on screen.

A Space Program is a wonderful film, packed with laughter and quiet, human moments. This is bold, original filmmaking that plays off like a breath of fresh air.

Those craving a complex, character, dialogue driven narrative may be disappointed with A Space Program. All members of the mission are important, yet there’s little room to pick a favorite. Each person is vital to the mission and each gets their time to shine. The mission and story are simple: send two women to Mars and bring them home. Many of the space exploration beats are present: friction in the spacecraft, landing on an alien planet and the suspense of whether they’ll make it home. The execution of each beat is so unorthodox; you cannot help but lean closer and pay attention.

It’s a challenge to describe this movie without giving away spoilers. No matter how blatant the approach of the filmmaker, satire often misses with many audiences. A Space Program is a wonderful film, packed with laughter and quiet, human moments. This is bold, original filmmaking that plays off like a breath of fresh air. This is one of those films that should be brought up when any film lover quips, “Hollywood has run out of ideas.” A Space Program will divide audiences but if you’re all aboard for the ride you’re in for one hell of an experience.

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