Film Info30 minutes
Go Project Films Available for Free AND Ticketed Events! Synopsis: Earthrise tells the story of the first image captured of the Earth from space in 1968. Told solely by the Apollo 8 astronauts, the film recounts their experiences and memories and explores the beauty, awe, and grandeur of the Earth against the blackness of space. This iconic image had a powerful impact on the astronauts and the world, offering a perspective that transcended national, political, and religious boundaries. Told 50 years later, Earthrise compels us to remember this shift and to reflect on the Earth as a shared home Filmmaker Q&A - Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee● What inspired this story?
I’ve always loved the photographs of the Earth captured during the Apollo missions, and for as long as I can remember, I have found the Earthrise image to be particularly poignant. The image marked a turning point in our collective consciousness. It helped kick start the environmental movement and inspire Earth Day, among many other things. I was interested in going back to that moment and telling the story behind the photograph, to talk to the first human beings who saw and experienced the Earth from space. What was it like for them to see and experience the Earth from the moon and how did it impact them and their lives? And, all these years later, in our troubled and divisive times, what role can this image play as a reminder of what unites and connects us? It was these questions that inspired me to make this film, on the 50th anniversary of the “Earthrise” image captured from space in 1968. |
Earthrise - Trailer from Go Project Films on Vimeo. |
● Describe some of the challenges faced while making this film.
Sourcing all the needed archived footage was much more of a challenge than expected.
● How do you approach science storytelling?
To me, storytelling is storytelling regardless of the genre.
● What impact do you hope this film will have?
That we can be reminded of the simple yet profound message that the photo offered when it was originally shared with the world: to quote the poet Archibald Macleish (who the Apollo 8 astronaut Frank Borman turned to when he felt his own words would be inadequate), “To see the Earth as it truly is small and blue and beautiful in that eternal silence where it floats is to see ourselves as riders on the Earth together. Brothers on that bright loveliness in the eternal cold— brothers who know now that they are truly brothers.”
● Were there any surprising or meaningful moments/experiences you want to share?
The time spent with the astronauts was extremely meaningful. Their candid retelling of their experiences during the Apollo 8 mission was at times surprising and powerful.
● What next?
I’m working on a virtual reality experience inspired by this film.
Sourcing all the needed archived footage was much more of a challenge than expected.
● How do you approach science storytelling?
To me, storytelling is storytelling regardless of the genre.
● What impact do you hope this film will have?
That we can be reminded of the simple yet profound message that the photo offered when it was originally shared with the world: to quote the poet Archibald Macleish (who the Apollo 8 astronaut Frank Borman turned to when he felt his own words would be inadequate), “To see the Earth as it truly is small and blue and beautiful in that eternal silence where it floats is to see ourselves as riders on the Earth together. Brothers on that bright loveliness in the eternal cold— brothers who know now that they are truly brothers.”
● Were there any surprising or meaningful moments/experiences you want to share?
The time spent with the astronauts was extremely meaningful. Their candid retelling of their experiences during the Apollo 8 mission was at times surprising and powerful.
● What next?
I’m working on a virtual reality experience inspired by this film.
