Elham Ehsas' documentary showcases first Afghan in space, Abdul Ahad Mohmand.

Elham Ehsas’ new documentary, titled The Forgotten Spaceman, is preparing for its global debut at the Locarno Film Festival before moving on to the Toronto International Film Festival. The film centers on Abdul Ahad Mohmand, the first and only Afghan citizen to travel into space. Mohmand flew aboard the Soviet space station Salyut 7 in 1988 as part of the Intercosmos program, a Soviet initiative designed to showcase international solidarity during the Cold War. Despite this historic achievement, Mohmand’s story has remained largely invisible in mainstream Western media and even within Afghanistan itself. The documentary seeks to correct this historical omission by bringing his journey back into public consciousness. It frames his flight not just as a scientific milestone, but as a complex narrative intertwined with geopolitics, colonial legacies, and the erasure of Afghan agency in global history. By highlighting Mohmand, the film challenges the dominant media tropes that reduce Afghanistan’s modern history to one of endless war and victimhood.

The timing of this release is significant because it coincides with a renewed global interest in space exploration and a broader cultural reckoning with how history is told. For decades, the narrative surrounding Afghanistan has been dominated by images of conflict, foreign intervention, and humanitarian crisis. Stories of scientific achievement, cultural richness, or individual triumph are often overlooked because they do not fit the simplified narrative of a broken state. Mohmand’s experience illustrates this tension. He was selected for the mission through rigorous training in the Soviet Union, becoming a symbol of international cooperation at a time when Afghanistan was engulfed in a devastating civil war. Yet, upon his return, he was largely ignored by his own government and the international community. His story was sidelined, much like the complex realities of Afghan society. Ehsas’ film argues that this erasure is not accidental but structural, rooted in a colonial mindset that denies non-Western nations their own agency and historical depth. By focusing on Mohmand, the documentary forces viewers to confront the limitations of their own understanding of Afghanistan.

The film uses archival footage, interviews, and Mohmand’s personal reflections to reconstruct the events leading up to his launch and the aftermath of his return. It explores how the Intercosmos program served as a diplomatic tool for the Soviet Union, projecting an image of unity while masking the brutal reality of the war on the ground. Mohmand’s flight was a brief moment of hope and possibility, but it was quickly overshadowed by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent Taliban takeover. The documentary does not shy away from the political complexities of his mission. It examines how Mohmand navigated the expectations of his Soviet handlers and the skepticism of his fellow countrymen. This nuanced portrayal provides a counter-narrative to the usual media coverage of Afghanistan, which often lacks context and depth. By presenting Mohmand as a scientist and a human being rather than a political symbol, the film restores his dignity and significance.

Following its premiere at Locarno, the film will screen at TIFF, marking a crucial step in its distribution strategy. This festival circuit aims to build momentum for wider release and academic discussion. The filmmakers hope that The Forgotten Spaceman will spark a broader conversation about how we remember historical events and whose stories are deemed worthy of preservation. It serves as a reminder that history is not fixed but is constantly being rewritten by those who hold the power to tell it. By amplifying Mohmand’s voice, the documentary invites audiences to look beyond the headlines and engage with the full complexity of Afghan history. This is not just a story about one man’s journey to space; it is a critique of how we choose to see the world. The film’s success will depend on its ability to connect with audiences who are hungry for narratives that challenge their preconceptions. As space exploration enters a new era with private companies and international partnerships, revisiting this forgotten chapter offers valuable lessons about inclusion, representation, and the enduring power of human curiosity.