MAN ON A MISSION

MAN ON A MISSION

WINNER
Audience Award
SXSW Film Fest

Did you ever dream of going to space when you were a child? So did Richard Garriott, and his dreams were also based on the fact that his father was an American astronaut. However, when he was diagnosed as nearsighted at age eight (disqualifying him from ever going on a NASA mission), his ambitions to make it to space only increased. When he became wealthy as a videogame developer and was a primary financier of Space Adventures, he could now fulfill his lifelong dream. He wrote a $30 million check to secure his seat on the Russian Soyuz rocket so that he could travel into space and become the first second generation astronaut. The mission: he will be launched 250 miles straight up to the International Space Station and orbit the Earth for 10 days.

Director Mike Woolf takes us along as Richard spends a year in the Russian space program, delivering incredible footage that shows us aspects of space travel that moviegoers have not seen before. We are able to see what these men and women go through in order to face the trials and risks of space travel, and are given a unique perspective on the Space Race when we learn about the history of the Russian space program. Once we get into space, Richard takes over directorial duties, keeping the camera rolling for some never before seen footage from inside the re-entry capsule as it makes a fiery return to earth. On the ground, his astronaut father is there to meet him, officially welcoming us all to the next generation of human space exploration.

Directed by Mike Woolf, U.S.A., 2010, 83 mins. In English and Russian with English subtitles.

Official site Director interview

Showtimes:
Fri., Jan. 13 at 7 & 9 pm
Sat.-Sun., Jan. 14-15 at 3, 5, 7 & 9 pm
Mon.-Thurs., Jan. 16-19 at 7 & 9 pm

Tickets:
$9 general admission TicketWeb
FREE for Facets Members!