Celebrating both the 250th birthday of the United States and the 47th anniversary of the Apollo 11 spaceflight, this series highlights the achievements and contributions of Americans to space exploration, through the lens of cinema. From the early, pre-launch days of hard science and hot-shot test pilots to the wonder and danger of the Apollo missions, Hollywood has explored many aspects of this period, many of them nominated for Academy Awards. The Right Stuff covers the period of the Mercury missions, and First Man takes a closer look at the life and career of Neil Armstrong. The wondrous documentary For All Mankind uses actual NASA footage for an overview of the entire Apollo program, and Apollo 13 tells the story of that nearly-fatal mission to the moon. Exhilarating, inspiring, and dramatic, these films document this period of American history that put intellect and aspiration at the forefront.
Dates and Titles:
July 3: The Right Stuff (Philip Kaufman, US 1983, 193 min., 35mm)
July 9: First Man (Damien Chazelle, US/China/Japan 2018, 141 min., DCP)
July 11 (2 p.m.): The Right Stuff (Philip Kaufman, US 1983, 193 min., 35mm)
July 14: For All Mankind (Al Reinert, US 1989, 80 min., DCP)
July 23: Apollo 13 (Ron Howard, US 1995, 140 min., 35mm)
July 25 (2 p.m.): Apollo 13 (Ron Howard, US 1995, 140 min., 35mm)
Events in this Series
The Right Stuff (35mm)
America in Space Thrilling, comedic, and epic, writer-director Philip Kaufman adapts Tom Wolfe’s docu-drama novel about the Mercury program, NASA’s first steps toward space flight.
First Man (DCP)
America in Space Ryan Gosling plays the legendary Neil Armstrong in this adaptation of the James Hansen biography, directed by Damien Chazelle (La La Land, Whiplash, Babylon).
Matinee: The Right Stuff (35mm)
America in Space Thrilling, comedic, and epic, writer-director Philip Kaufman adapts Tom Wolfe’s docu-drama novel about the Mercury program, NASA’s first steps toward space flight.
For All Mankind (DCP) - Free for Members!
America in Space A dreamy, impressionistic collage of NASA archival footage, Brian Eno's music, and interviews with the real Apollo astronauts, Al Reinert's 1989 documentary depicts a journey to the moon and back.
Apollo 13 (35mm)
America in Space Based on the true story of NASA’s aborted third trip to the moon, the film follows Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon), and Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) as an explosion in an oxygen tank puts the mission at risk.
Matinee: Apollo 13 (35mm)
America in Space Based on the true story of NASA’s aborted third trip to the moon, the film follows Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon), and Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) as an explosion in an oxygen tank puts the mission at risk.