SpaceX’s Starbase: A New Frontier for Humanity?

by

Based in Prague, film documentation expert Filmotor has acquired the rights for Julien Elie’s “Shifting Baselines.” This compelling documentary is scheduled for its global debut in the international competition section at the prestigious documentary festival Visions du Réel.

Last year, I came across the project at VdR-Work in Progress, and it sparked an immediate desire within me to share this thought-provoking and artistic documentary about the space race and Space X. Following the U.S. elections, this sentiment only intensified. It’s essential that we stay informed not just about events on Earth but also about what transpires in space and our orbit,” Michaela Čajková explains to EbMaster.

Located in the Texan border town of Boca Chica, “Shifting Baselines” explores how the landscape has changed following the establishment of SpaceX’s Starbase – a rocket launch and manufacturing site for Elon Musk’s Starship spacecraft, aimed at transporting humans to Mars.

Or:

In the Texan border town of Boca Chica, “Shifting Baselines” delves into the alterations brought about by SpaceX’s Starbase, a significant rocket launch and production facility for Elon Musk’s Starship spacecraft, which aims to carry humans to Mars.

Nestled near the Gulf of Mexico’s coastline, it lies within protected areas that form part of a national wildlife sanctuary, teeming with numerous species such as sea turtles and uncommon birds. Regrettably, some parts of this land are now marred by remnants of failed rocket launches.

Upon my arrival at Boca Chica in the year 2022, I, the humble observer, was not entirely sure of what lay ahead. Yet, as I unveiled the scene before me, I found myself in awe, and I could hardly contain my excitement when I shared with you, EbMaster, that this locale presented an extraordinary backdrop for cinematic magic.

A filmmaker’s utopia: it feels like a movie set! You have characters in abundance as people from diverse places – Japan, China, Canada, America – are all here. They share their worries about the state of the world, the pandemic included. It seems everyone craves an escape from reality.

Elie highlights a similarity between modern-day space explorers, who sport “Occupy Mars” shirts, and their historical counterparts, the colonizers in America. Just like earlier colonization resulted in the forced relocation and tragic loss of native populations, these Martian pioneers now consider Mars as their new territory to conquer.

Elie mentions that it’s likely we’ll travel to Mars within the next 25 to 30 years, not in the immediate future of two or three years. Despite this, people seem very confident about it. They appear to believe that Earth is becoming uninhabitable, so they feel the need to prepare for an escape and find a backup planet. Instead of focusing on improving conditions here on Earth,” says Elie.

The movie discusses the absurdity of mankind’s unending quest to claim every reachable land. Now, it seems that the sky represents the final frontier for this ambition.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I find myself captivated by the transformation of the quaint village of Boca Chica. Once dotted with family homes, it’s now largely owned by SpaceX, transforming into a vast complex housing hundreds of dedicated workers. The entire landscape seems to orbit around the Starbase, creating a unique ecosystem that pulses with the rhythm of space exploration.

The movie guides audiences on a monochrome odyssey via the village and its environs, where they encounter the last inhabitants, space aficionados attracted to the location, and ecological advocates expressing concerns over its ecological footprint.

Additionally, Elie talks to astrophysicists who form part of an increasing community of researchers sounding the alarm about the escalating dangers linked to the unrestricted growth of satellite systems and space junk.

He explains how important it is for us to grasp the risks associated with the space race, such as pollution from satellites and space debris. He notes that the small village of Boca Chica serves as a focal point for this contamination, situated where the sky meets the Earth. In this location, biologists are striving to protect bird nests amidst the destruction caused by human activities.

The title of the movie draws inspiration from a term devised by marine biologist Daniel Pauly, who is featured in the documentary. This term, “Shifting Baselines,” signifies our growing acceptance of environmental alterations. As I observed the evolution of the sky due to the increase in satellites, I thought about applying this concept, initially used to explain the decline of fish populations, to the ongoing space exploration that will irrevocably change the appearance of the sky forever.

The single-colored style gives the movie a profound, theatrical feel that felt appropriate. “When I initially beheld those rockets,” Elie remarks, “they appeared as if they belonged to an era or culture beyond our own.

This movie seems to be a reflection of contemporary humanity, as if observed by others. The black-and-white presentation gives it an otherworldly feel… Could they be simulations? Could they be models? Gazing at the SpaceX installation and those rockets, it’s reminiscent of a 1960s sci-fi movie from Russia or Eastern Europe,” he says with a smile.

As a fervent admirer, I’d like to highlight Elie’s impressive portfolio. In 2018, their work on “Dark Suns,” a multiple award-winning film, shed light on the heartrending issue of femicides in Mexico. Fast forward to 2023, they delved into another thought-provoking project, “La Garde Blanche,” set once again in Mexico. This production unveiled the chilling reality of terror and violence bred by the sinister alliance between powerful corporations, drug cartels, and the government.

Title “Shifting Baselines” was created by Elie, Andreas Mendritzki, and Aonan Yang at the GreenGround Productions in Montreal. The film will make its debut on the global stage at Visions du Réel festival on April 5th.

Visions du Réel runs from April 4 to 13 in Nyon, Switzerland.

Read More

2025-03-19 18:17