Houston, We Have A Problem reviews
Review by on 28 Sep 2009
A well-balanced mix of talking heads, clichéd time-lapse photography and environmental peril, HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM takes a look at one of the most concrete establishments in world economics, the American oil tycoon. HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM is both a potent commentary/history on the Western world’s growing dependency on fossil fuels as well as an attack on our politicians for empty promises of change.
In style, the film is fairly conventional, delivering all the varied score; handheld camerawork, slick graphics and ironically placed archive footage one would associate with a good festival documentary. I found it refreshing to see an environmental film that features people from many different rungs of the oil industry, from oil rig workers, to Wildcatters (oil hunters) all the way to the CEOs, as well as public figures and the scientists given the task of finding alternative energy sources(nicknamed New Wildcatters).
To me, HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM felt like it was broken into two, very different halves. The first, explaining how mankind’s greed and materialism has jeopardised its very existence. The second explained how mankind’s drive and thirst for progress (rather ironically echoed in the days where oil drilling was the latest craze) will potentially be its own salvation.
Thankfully, director Nicole Torre uses her film as a platform for discussion and not a declaration of blame, which works greatly to her advantage, I was glad to see an environmentally minded study that didn’t tell me I ought to buy a Hybrid and get a windmill. This spirit of forgive, forget and move on to ‘save the world’, means that the film doesn’t feel hypocritical or angry, just concerned and informative. Overall, a worthwhile viewing but not groundbreaking.
CHRIS RAMSDEN
A well-balanced mix of talking heads, clichéd time-lapse photography and environmental peril, HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM takes a look at one of the most concrete establishments in world economics, the American oil tycoon. HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM is both a potent commentary/history on the Western world’s growing dependency on fossil fuels as well as an attack on our politicians for empty promises of change.In style, the film is fairly conventional, delivering all the varied score; handheld camerawork, slick graphics and ironically placed archive footage one would associate with a good festival documentary. I found it refreshing to see an environmental film that features people from many different rungs of the oil industry, from oil rig workers, to Wildcatters (oil hunters) all the way to the CEOs, as well as public figures and the scientists given the task of finding alternative energy sources(nicknamed New Wildcatters).
To me, HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM felt like it was broken into two, very different halves. The first, explaining how mankind’s greed and materialism has jeopardised its very existence. The second explained how mankind’s drive and thirst for progress (rather ironically echoed in the days where oil drilling was the latest craze) will potentially be its own salvation.
Thankfully, director Nicole Torre uses her film as a platform for discussion and not a declaration of blame, which works greatly to her advantage, I was glad to see an environmentally minded study that didn’t tell me I ought to buy a Hybrid and get a windmill. This spirit of forgive, forget and move on to ‘save the world’, means that the film doesn’t feel hypocritical or angry, just concerned and informative. Overall, a worthwhile viewing but not groundbreaking.
CHRIS RAMSDEN
Review by on 21 Sep 2009
Every year at the Film Festival the audience questionnaire asks how we travelled to the cinema. Those arriving by car to this feature will probably be sneaking out hoping that no-one recognises them.
Director Nicole Torre delivers a clear message about our ever increasing demand for oil. There is no footage of environmental destruction that Al Gore showed us. There is no voice-over polemic that Michael Moore would provide. This is mainly CEOs of oil companies telling it how it is. They speak about the politics of oil from the Gulf war to nationalisation in South America. They tell of the money they make. They are disparaging about the environmentalists who pop up from time to time to give a counter view – both campaigners and individuals who are trying to do their bit.
The talking heads are cut with speeches from various US Presidents. Their stance is rarely about conservation or energy efficiency; increased consumption is assumed and the focus is on ever increasing production. Yet we are left in doubt that we cannot continue to ignore the “sleeping dog” of the energy crisis; even the US military is shown using an array of solar panels. If they can, surely we all can.
Every year at the Film Festival the audience questionnaire asks how we travelled to the cinema. Those arriving by car to this feature will probably be sneaking out hoping that no-one recognises them.Director Nicole Torre delivers a clear message about our ever increasing demand for oil. There is no footage of environmental destruction that Al Gore showed us. There is no voice-over polemic that Michael Moore would provide. This is mainly CEOs of oil companies telling it how it is. They speak about the politics of oil from the Gulf war to nationalisation in South America. They tell of the money they make. They are disparaging about the environmentalists who pop up from time to time to give a counter view – both campaigners and individuals who are trying to do their bit.
The talking heads are cut with speeches from various US Presidents. Their stance is rarely about conservation or energy efficiency; increased consumption is assumed and the focus is on ever increasing production. Yet we are left in doubt that we cannot continue to ignore the “sleeping dog” of the energy crisis; even the US military is shown using an array of solar panels. If they can, surely we all can.
Review by on 18 Sep 2009
Arriving in the UK on the back of another increase in fuel prices, Nicole Torre’s documentary on the oil industry is perfectly timed to be an incendiary source for debate. The film bores deep into the western world’s dependence upon oil, unearthing some uncomfortable truths. In particular it questions why political figures have constantly allowed the ‘sleeping dog’ of a global energy crisis to lie.
Torre approaches the issue with restraint, allowing an array of genuine Texan oil men to tell their own stories with candid honesty and humour and this is to the film’s benefit. Occasions that would likely see an intrusion from a polemist like Michael Moore are left to develop naturally without the need for heavy-handed manipulation to hammer home an opinion.
The fundamental point Torre is attempting to make to the audience is that the dire energy situation the world finds itself in will only be resolved by unified efforts. Certainly Washington and the scientific world have a significant role to play, but so too do energy consumers and the efforts they make to assist a global transition to the use of alternative energy.
It has perhaps always been too easy to disassociate oneself from the real necessity to conserve energy and the role that each of us plays in the constant demand for more to be produced. However after 85 minutes in the company of Torre’s oil men the true price being paid at the petrol pumps might seem to have increased a great deal more than 2p a litre.
CHRIS PECK
Arriving in the UK on the back of another increase in fuel prices, Nicole Torre’s documentary on the oil industry is perfectly timed to be an incendiary source for debate. The film bores deep into the western world’s dependence upon oil, unearthing some uncomfortable truths. In particular it questions why political figures have constantly allowed the ‘sleeping dog’ of a global energy crisis to lie.Torre approaches the issue with restraint, allowing an array of genuine Texan oil men to tell their own stories with candid honesty and humour and this is to the film’s benefit. Occasions that would likely see an intrusion from a polemist like Michael Moore are left to develop naturally without the need for heavy-handed manipulation to hammer home an opinion.
The fundamental point Torre is attempting to make to the audience is that the dire energy situation the world finds itself in will only be resolved by unified efforts. Certainly Washington and the scientific world have a significant role to play, but so too do energy consumers and the efforts they make to assist a global transition to the use of alternative energy.
It has perhaps always been too easy to disassociate oneself from the real necessity to conserve energy and the role that each of us plays in the constant demand for more to be produced. However after 85 minutes in the company of Torre’s oil men the true price being paid at the petrol pumps might seem to have increased a great deal more than 2p a litre.
CHRIS PECK
Film details
Houston, We Have A Problem
DOCUMENTARIES
Director: Nicole Torre
USA, 2009.
84 mins.
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