Fly Rocket Fly

Fly Rocket Fly is an engaging 2018 German documentary directed by Oliver Schwehm that creatively spins the tale of maverick engineer and businessman Lutz Kayser and his team. Dramatized with a mix of archival footage, reenactments, and interviews, the film unfolds the passionate scientist’s not-so-typical journey to the final frontier.

Right from the beginning, Fly Rocket Fly is designed to captivate the audience's intrigue. Its core focus is Lutz Kayser, a German aerospace engineer who in the early 1970s, had a daring vision - to make space travel cheaper and accessible. The idea seemed far-fetched by conventional standards, given the massive undertaking such a goal presented, coupled with the dominance of state-run space agencies like NASA and Roscosmos.

Kayser, unfazed by the enormity of his ambition, assembled a team of like-minded mavericks to form OTRAG (Orbital Transport und Raketen AG), ostensibly the world's first private space exploration company. The fascinating sequence of events that unfurls as these visionaries engage in self-taught rocket science forms the crux of the story. In essence, Fly Rocket Fly portrays the parallels of Elon Musk's SpaceX - only this was decades earlier.

A striking feature of the film is Schwehm's storytelling, a well-crafted blend of historical footage and interviews. Additionally, staged sequences are expertly implemented to breathe life into past events. Shots are cut away at the precise moment and the pacing is fittingly steady, underscoring the gravity of the mission and heightening the suspense.

What sets Fly Rocket Fly apart from other documentaries is the bold experimentation with narrative structure. The film goes beyond being a simple recounting of past events. It's an emotionally charged journey that vividly depicts the vigor shared by Kayser and his team towards their lofty ambition – to democratize space. The results are impactful - the audience is left hooked, admiring the audacity of this group of trailblazers.

In the film, Kayser comes across as a driven and eccentric character, illustrative of the pioneering spirit. The archival footage brings out this dynamism and tenacity perfectly, capturing Kayser's charisma and capturing his vivacity. The documentary paints him as the quintessential dreamer, showcasing his various trials and tribulations in pursuit of his passions.

Fly Rocket Fly shines a light on the ethical and geo-political conflicts that the OTRAG project encountered. The company ended up based in the Congo, then ruled by the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. What should’ve been a simple tale of scientific innovation quickly spiraled into the political arena with perception being a significant adversary.

Moreover, the film delves into the turbulent era of the Cold War, subsequently detailing the role of Germany in space exploration. It touches upon the themes of ambition, passion, innovation, entrepreneurship, courage, and the unique thrill stemming from taking an off-beaten path.

Fly Rocket Fly is as much about space exploration as it is about human perseverance and the tenacious spirit with which the OTRAG group pursued their dream against all odds. The movie stands as a testament to the potency of ambition and the courage to dream beyond societal misconceptions and political barriers. The highs, lows, setbacks, triumphs, and eventual downfall of OTRAG make for a gripping narrative you cannot help but get engrossed in.

The film convincingly portrays the emotional dichotomies of pursuing such an unprecedented venture. The joy, pain, optimism, despair, setbacks, and breakthroughs of this daring quest render an unexpected human touch to the otherwise tech-heavy subject of rocket science.

All in all, Fly Rocket Fly is a must-watch for admirers of space exploration and those who value the attributes of courage, ambition, and innovation. It pays homage to one of the earliest pioneers of private space exploration and serves as a reminder that the audacious dreams of today have historical footprints, some forgotten but vitally important. It is proof that trailblazers like Lutz Kayser had set the path for private space expeditions way before it became the trend. The story of OTRAG is a testament to human tenacity and the fiery and relentless pursuit of dreams at all costs.