Kicking off the 19th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival this past Thursday, Sally served as the opening night movie to commence the two-week-long celebration, followed by a block party with discount drinks and free bowling to boot.
The picture is directed by proud Wisconsinite Cristina Costantini. She was inspired by the lasting hero of her childhood and the far-reaching feminist icon of Sally Ride to make this showcased documentary all about the first American woman in space, from her personal accomplishments to monumental career among the stars.
“Now women can go to space, and it’s not a big deal,” said Constantini during a Q&A after the film. “Over a hundred women have been to space, they go up into space all the time, because of people like Sally, who were the trailblazers who proved that women could do it and that they should be allowed to do it.”
In my personal opinion, what is the most utterly poignant and powerful of this film is the evolving relationship between Ride and her partner of 27 years, Tam O’Shaughnessy, that is finally captured and given deserved recognition after being constantly omitted from history books.
During the Q&A, O’Shaughnessy shared a conversation she had with Ride on her deathbed about the nature of their relationship.
“I asked her, ‘Who am I going to be to the rest of the world that doesn’t know that we were together as a couple?’ And Sally just said you decide,” said O’Shaughnessy. At that moment, I decided I was going to be honest about us in the obituary that appeared on the Sally Ride Science website.
Their beyond special connection was kept purposely secret and out of the limelight for decades out of fear of definite repercussions they would have faced, a confidential matter that unfortunately remains relevant for several during the current climate of today.
“Years later, I had calls from different movie companies,” said O’Shaughnessy. “When I met Christina, it just all focused and I trusted her. I totally committed to being honest and truthful, and being myself during the interviews.”
In turn, the piece brazenly has her downplayed secrets and hidden complexities on full display, from private affairs to strenuous work politics.
I think there is a remarkable and almost indescribable sentiment I cannot properly formulate into words the fact one of the most prominent women in the world who was once on the cover of every magazine and is largely considered an untouchable icon was a lesbian.
“I think when we set out to make this film, it didn’t seem all that political,” said Constantini. “It seemed like gay rights had progressed so much, women’s rights have progressed so much. It didn’t seem as political as it’s become.”
I grew up reading biographies and watching after-school specials about Ride that purposely downplayed her queerness, so the drastic change in openly talking about this important aspect of her life is amazing, not to mention how beautifully captured and artistically rendered with stunning color grading the reenacted scenes depicting their bond are here.
“I hope it serves as a reminder that these rights and this progress are not guaranteed, that these rights were hard fought, that somebody had to be the first, that somebody had to fight hard to get us this kind of recognition,” said Constantini.
The narrative demonstrates the insurmountable pressure behind becoming this legend in the making, with immense building tension bubbling under the surface throughout. The final edit is incredibly tight and clear cut as its well-crafted suspense to the point.
The background score by Jeff Morrow is also perfectly suitable in its audible hollowness that feels like exploring the deep depths of the faraway universe.
The amount of research done is nothing to scoff at either, with the pulls from the NASA Archives being enthralling and captivating to watch unfold, the abundant passion and care the creators had for the subject matter being evident.
According to Producer Lauren Cioffi, the film was made out of over 5,000 reels from sources like NASA, National Archives and various news outlets. The NASA reels were particularly difficult, because they had to find the separately and sync it with the video.
“I think that’s the hardest part of making a documentary, is that you’re writing in the edit room, constantly rewriting and rewriting and rewriting,” said Cioffi. “We were in the edit for a year, so it feels like it’s never done.”
I slightly wish certain elements got more space to reflect and expand upon with a little more time to breathe and reach their realized potential, such as the Challenger Crash that impacted Ride tremendously and shifted her whole personality moving forward.
At first, the picture might seem a bit formulaic in hitting the stereotypical emotional beats of this tried and true genre, featuring countless interviews with fellow astronauts and her family members, not to mention informative voiceovers and long pauses for dramatic effect. However, these are all minor complaints that will be completely forgotten and thrown out the window by the moving conclusion that had the whole audience in tears.
In all, it is no wonder to me why Sally was chosen as the first movie of the festival, being a genuine crowd pleaser that left attendees inspired and emotional in its unashamed humanity despite the extraterrestrial subject matter.
If you missed the premiere at the Milwaukee Film Festival, Don’t fret! According to Constantini, Sally will be releasing very soon on Hulu and Disney Plus.