If the representation of life aboard the International Space Station presented in Space Station - directed by Toni Myers, presented in the IMAX format and produced by the Lockheed Martin Corporation along with NASA - is to be believed then it's a place where all of mankind’s divisions and conflicts are left far behind and a floating clowning around is the international code of conduct. Now it is presumable that any adult will realise that this is a preposterous proposition to put forward but perhaps the kids might just believe this. So beware, have your wits about you when taking off on this voyage.
The title credits of this short 47 minute documentary promise much; from the dark nebulas of the theatre, free-form parts materialise, merge and construct each credit right there, appearing tantalisingly within grasp of the viewer, then the next credit. This is an immersive spectacle and the motif of parts coming together to construct something with meaning is an excellent and exciting departure point. From here on we are guided by the overstated and cock-sure narration of Tom Cruise around some of the launch sites on Earth, the International Space Station itself and are presented a glimpse of life aboard the space station. Everything is presented with a child like glee and wonder, where there seems to be an echo of ‘all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds’ in most scenes.
We are shown some of the complexities of the construction process and space walking, that all go off without a hitch and are given the impression that this is the life of childhood dreams realised, where the world is a calm spec of awe floating in the vastness of space. All this seems to belie the politics of the situation of what life in space and in small confined environments is like – next to nothing is made of the contrast between the cramped space station and the perceivable openness of space and the psychological impact this may have on the inhabitants of the space station or of the loneliness of being away from earth. As well, none of the criticisms levelled at the International Space Station programme are addressed: primarily any controlled experiment done in space can be done cheaper on Earth. This documentary come out of the top draw of propaganda and seems to services the interests of those who have economic interests in the continuation of the International Space Station programme; namely NASA and its sub contractors.
Although 15 countries participate in the International Space Station programme this is an American show with Russia playing a supporting role in this post Cold War reach for the stars. It’s the Star Spangled Banner that has centre stage. In one scene where the first of the compartments that will eventually comprise the space station are joined, Mr. Cruise makes much ado about how the American astronauts ware Star Spangled Banner socks for the occasion of the virgin journey between joined compartments. This whiff of the nationalisation of space is conveyed with such cute matter-of-factness that it becomes disturbing to watch; an assumed ownership that reeks of toe-jam.
If the spectacles of suspended disbelief are worn for the duration of this documentary, what is presented, politics aside, are some of the steadiest and crispest actual shoots of space, Earth and the habitation of space to date. But no matter how awe inspiring these images may be, this is an unsettling document about assumed ownership, bias, corporate interest and manipulation of childhood wonder.
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