Watch Houston, We Have a Problem!

Houston, We Have a Problem! is a 2016 feature documentary with a twist of fiction, exploring the myth surrounding the Cold War space race and the alleged sale of Yugoslavia's secret space program to the United States. Directed by Žiga Virc, the film is styled as a docufiction, blending actual historical events with speculative elements and conspiracy theories, presenting an intriguing narrative that blurs the lines between fact and fiction.

Centered around the space race of the 1960s, the film explores the notion that the then-socialist Yugoslavia, led by President Josip Broz Tito, had developed an advanced space program. According to the film's narrative, this secret program was on the verge of putting Yugoslavia at the forefront of space exploration, surpassing even the Soviet Union and the United States in technological advancements related to space travel.

The film weaves together archival footage, interviews, and dramatized sequences to tell its story. It features notable figures such as the Slovenian philosopher and cultural critic Slavoj Žižek, who provides his idiosyncratic perspective and analysis on the geopolitical implications of the space race and the complex relationship between ideology and technology. Also incorporated into the narrative are figures like former Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who are depicted through historical footage and dramatizations.

The title, Houston, We Have a Problem!, is a playful reference to the famous, though slightly misquoted, phrase from the Apollo 13 moon flight ("Houston, we've had a problem"). By using this allusion, the film invites viewers to consider the problems and challenges faced by Yugoslavia's purported space program and the resulting Cold War tensions.

The Yugoslavian space program is portrayed as highly sophisticated, with claims that the country had developed an operational space shuttle long before the U.S. space shuttle program was initiated. The imaginative plot of the documentary suggests Tito capitalized on this achievement by selling the program to the United States for a vast sum, thereby injecting much-needed funds into Yugoslavia's economy and possibly influencing the outcome of the space race.

As the film navigates between the events of the past and the constructed narrative, it raises questions about the nature of truth in storytelling, particularly within the context of international politics and propaganda. It critiques the function of mythology in the construction of national identities and the ways in which histories are often written by the victors, leaving alternative narratives to exist as whispers or rumors.

One of the highlights of Houston, We Have a Problem! is its unique and engaging approach to the documentary genre. By intertwining fictional elements with historical facts, the film requires its audience to actively engage with the content and question the reliability of the presented information. This method allows the film to tackle broader themes such as memory, belief systems, and the manipulation of history for political purposes, all while maintaining an entertaining and thought-provoking narrative.

Though the characters of Tito, Kennedy, and Žižek are pivotal to the story, their screen presence is achieved in different ways. Tito and Kennedy appear through archival footage, while Žižek, often framed in thought-provoking settings, provides contemporary commentary that challenges the viewer's perception of history and ideology. The film is not just a retrospective exploration of Cold War politics but also an examination of the construction of historical narratives and the impact these narratives have on the present.

To those unfamiliar with the intricacies of the Cold War or Yugoslavia's position within it, the film might seem like a revelation of hidden truths. However, Houston, We Have a Problem! intentionally plays with the audience's credulity, suggesting that the very nature of truth is often elusive and subjective. The film acts as a mirror reflecting the complex interplay between historical reality and creative interpretation.

Houston, We Have a Problem! is a distinctive blend of documentary and fiction that offers a provocative insight into Cold War history while simultaneously questioning the very fabric of truth in historical narrative. Whether viewed as a clever mockumentary or a surreal journey through an alternate history, the film stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and its enduring impact on our understanding of the past.