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Operation Avalanche (Matt Johnson, 2016)

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Operation Avalanche (Matt Johnson, 2016)

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The Crown Season 3 Episode 7 "Moondust" (Jessica Hobbs, 2019)

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The Crown Season 3 Episode 7 "Moondust" (Jessica Hobbs, 2019)

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Western media has produced many film adaptations of various Space Race events and achievements. The majority of these adaptations are marketed to audiences as being "Based on a True Story."

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President John F. Kennedy's Speech at Rice University on September 12th 1962

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President John F. Kennedy's Speech at Rice University on September 12th 1962

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During this speech Kennedy's famously declared, "We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."

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A found-footage thriller directed by Matt Johnson. Johnson also stars as one of two CIA agents infiltrating NASA in 1967 to expose a Russian mole. Instead, they discovered NASA could not fulfil Kennedy's promise to land on the moon by the decade's end. Thus the agents concoct a bold plan to fake the moon landing to win the space race against the Soviet Union.

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Clearly positions itself as fictional and satirical, cleverly riffing on moon landing conspiracy theories. Its narrative, starting with the entirely fictional premise of a mole in NASA, is crafted with a tongue-in-cheek tone. (Bishop, 2016).

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The deliberate choice to name the characters after the actors playing them serves as a playful nod that the narrative is a work of fiction, inviting viewers to enjoy the film without mistaking it for reality.

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"Kennedy’s untimely assassination, the project took on the aura of near-sacredness as President Johnson pushed for its completion in the name of the slain president.” (Koman, 44)

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Aimed to align the uncertain prospects of America's space program with the nation's shared values of pioneering exploration, urging the community to embrace the challenge of reaching the moon. His message was reinforced by a sense of determination and a subtle appeal to nationalism, fitting the Cold War context without overly stirring nationalist fervor (Jordan, 223).

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It evokes a feeling of patriotism and romanticizes space as the new frontier, echoing the American ethos of Manifest Destiny (Jordan, 210).

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Deepens the narratives of the films it is featured in by blending national pride with the allure of conquering new frontiers.

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This biographical drama tells the inspiring story of three African American women, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who worked at NASA during the 1960s.

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The story's narrative incorporates some elements that are true to historical events.

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Play crucial roles in launching astronaut John Glenn into orbit on February 20th 1962.

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The obstacles Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary confront throughout their professional and personal lives as they navigate racial and gender prejudices in the United States during the early 1960s.

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Their significant yet overlooked contributions to space exploration, celebrating their achievements and the impact they had on civil rights and gender equality in the workplace.

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NASA employees occasionally discuss the Soviet Union as motivation to accelerate their work.

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NASA employees occasionally discuss the Soviet Union as motivation to accelerate their work.

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“We gotta get a man up there before one of them commies do. Whole country is counting on it” (5:42)

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Katherine's 3 daughters discuss their fear over the Soviet Union and the Cold War tensions. 

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Katherine's 3 daughters discuss their fear over the Soviet Union and the Cold War tensions. 

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“Momma, are the Russians fixing to attack us?” (31:19)

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The Space Race achievements of the Soviet Union during this period are spotlighted to motivate the workers and fuel a competitive spirit, pushing them towards greater innovation and speed.

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The Space Race achievements of the Soviet Union during this period are spotlighted to motivate the workers and fuel a competitive spirit, pushing them towards greater innovation and speed.

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Yuri Gagarin becoming the first man to travel into space on April 12th, 1961. 

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Yuri Gagarin becoming the first man to travel into space on April 12th, 1961. 

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“We interrupt this programming with breaking news. The Soviet news agency has announced that Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin has become the first man in space. Gagarin completed one full orbit around the planet in 108 minutes.” (53:50)

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Additionally highlights America's successes and failures prior to John Glenn's mission.

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Additionally highlights America's successes and failures prior to John Glenn's mission.

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The failure to retrieve the capsule dubbed Liberty Bell 7 from Virgil "Gus" Grissom's Mecury-Redstone mission.

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Sank into the Atlantic Ocean and was not recovered until 1999 (Neufeld).

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NASA launched its first man into space, Alan Shepard, whose suborbital flight lasted just over 15 minutes.

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Their school conducted a shelter-in-place drill.

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The Soviet Union is additionally discussed

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The Soviet Union is additionally discussed

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How the Soviet Union leveraged racial inequality in America for propaganda purposes.

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How the Soviet Union leveraged racial inequality in America for propaganda purposes.

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“In this regard, the South proved to be a stumbling block for the nation’s Cold War purposes, particularly before 1965. Constituting a majority of the world’s population, Third World peoples of color doubted that the treatment and status of African Americans south of the Mason-Dixon line made American society a model they wished to emulate. Racial discrimination abounded in the rest of the United States as well, but the South’s legacy of rigid segregation and racial violence gave the region a particular prominence as Americans sought to convince others that their country was the leader of a truly free world.” (Borstelmann, 167)

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The film concludes with Astronaut John Glenn's Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, which was the first crewed American orbital spaceflight.

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The Friendship 7 only completed 3 orbits out of the scheduled 7.

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The mission was deemed as a success and is accredited with turning the tide in the Space Race, and propelling NASA to the moon in 1969.

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Queen Elizabeth II delivered a message on a silicone disc that was carried to the moon by Apollo 11.

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Queen Elizabeth II delivered a message on a silicone disc that was carried to the moon by Apollo 11.

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The message stated, “On behalf of the British people, I salute the skills and courage which have brought man to the moon. May this endeavour increase the knowledge and well-being of mankind.” (The Guardian)

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Prince Philip grapples with a personal crisis against the backdrop of the Apollo 11 moon landing, leading him to envy the astronauts and reflect on his own search for meaning. This episode explores his existential journey and eventual solace in faith and introspection, juxtaposing historical achievement with individual growth.

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Sally Bedell Smith, a royals historian, called the premise of "Moondust" a "complete invention" (Arkin)

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The royal family hosted the astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins at Buckingham Palace in October 1969 (Arkin).

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The episode omits any mention of the Cold War and the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, concentrating solely on Prince Philip's viewpoint and his internal conflicts.

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“Do you think those astronauts are catatonic like you lots? Of course not. They are too busy achieving something spectacular. And as a result they are at one with the world and one with their God. And happy. That’s my advice. Model yourselves off men of actions like Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins. These men score A triple plus. They’ve got the answers.” (30:24)

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Prince Philip holds the astronauts in high esteem, prompting him to ponder over what he perceives as a lack of accomplishment in his own life.

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After meeting with the three astronauts privately at Buckingham Palace, Prince Philip's perception of them shifts as he sees them in a more humanized light.

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Queen Elizabeth II is the only female character in the episode, further highlighting the tendency of Space Race-oriented media to be male-focused and dominated, which is brought to the forefront in "Hidden Figures" (2016).

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“I expected them to be giants, Gods. In reality, they were just three little men." (44:28)

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"Moondust" offers a unique British perspective, coming from a nation not directly engaged in the Space Race, and thereby avoiding the perpetuation of either American or Soviet propaganda. This distinct viewpoint allows for a more neutral exploration of the era's events and their impact on individuals outside the primary geopolitical struggle.

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"Hidden Figures" (2016) is currently the only Western Space Race film to feature female protagonists and protagonists of color.

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Highlighting the Soviet Union's achievements in the Space Race while emphasising NASA's frustration with its comparative lack of success.

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Deke Slayton, NASA's Director of Flight Crew Operations, states, “Sputnik, Sputnik 2, Vostok, Gagarin. The Soviets have beaten us at every single major space accomplishment” (21:04)

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A biographical drama directed that explores Neil Armstrong's journey from test pilot to his 1969 moon landing with Apollo 11. The film portrays the personal loss and professional challenges he faced, culminating in the historic space mission and walk on the moon.

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Highlights the risks, sacrifices, and human emotions behind one of humanity's greatest achievements.

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Additionally highlights NASA failures leading up to Apollo 11.

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Additionally highlights NASA failures leading up to Apollo 11.

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The Gemini 8 mission experienced the first significant in-space system failure of a U.S. spacecraft, endangering the astronauts' lives and forcing an immediate abort of the mission.

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A NASA Northrop T-38 Talon crashed at Lambert Field in St. Louis, Missouri, resulting in the deaths of two Project Gemini astronauts, Elliot See and Charles Bassett.

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NASA's transparency compared to the Soviet Union's secretive handling of its own setbacks (Gerovitch, 468) and it also illustrates the emotional challenges Neil Armstrong experienced during this period.

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"Soviet accomplisments were historical firsts, while the U.S space program merely tallied national firsts” (Jordan, 212)

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During a launch rehearsal test at Cape Kennedy Air Force Station Launch Complex 34, a cabin fire tragically took the lives of all three crew members, Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger B. Chaffee, while also destroying the command module.

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The film briefly acknowledges the political turmoil of the era by depicting protests against NASA's substantial budget amid other pressing issues faced by Americans at the time.

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Concentrate on individuals who were directly involved in the Space Race or emotionally impacted by it.

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"First Man" (2018) recognizes Richard Nixon as the President during the Moon Landing and briefly features a reading of the speech he would have delivered had Apollo 11 been unsuccessful.

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Apollo 11 was a massive success and achieved its historic goal on July 20th, 1969, as Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon, reflecting the significance of the film's title.

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Neil Armstrong in quarantine at NASA's headquarters following his successful lunar mission. The final scene is the playing of John F. Kennedy's Rice University speech.

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A biographical film about Homer Hickam, a boy from a West Virginia coal mining town who, inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1, overcomes obstacles with the help of his teacher and friends to pursue his dream of building rockets. Despite parental skepticism and limited resources, his perseverance leads to success at a national science fair, paving Homer's way to a future at NASA.

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A news broadcast that states, “If you have just tuned in to this special bulletin, Washington has confirmed that yesterday, on the 4th of October, 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launched history's first man-made satellite into space orbit around the earth” (00:50)

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The citizens of Coalwood briefly show signs of "Sputnik Panic".

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The citizens of Coalwood briefly show signs of "Sputnik Panic".

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The Soviet government's newspaper, Izvestia, reported that Sputnik's launch caused "hysteria" in America (Mieczkowski, 20).

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Contrary to this claim, the vast majority of Americans did not react with panic to Sputnik, nor did the satellite incite significant fear among the population (Mieczkowski, 20).

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Set in 1957, this film does not depict any advancements made by the United States in the Space Race as Vanguard 1 was not successfully launched until 1958.

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The film centers exclusively on Homer's endeavors to construct a small rocket, steering clear of broader discussions on the Space Race and the eras political climate.

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They focus on personal experiences, offering a more intimate portrayal of the era's events and their effects on those who lived through them rather than overtly political narratives.

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How does the Western media portray the Space Race?

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How does the Western media portray the Space Race?

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The Space Race was a rivalry between the Soviet Union (USSR) and the United States (USA) that occurred from 1955 to 1975 (Mieczkowski, 213).

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Predominantly celebrate the narrative of American triumph and progress, inspiring audiences and portraying the Americans involved as heroes who surmounted challenges to secure significant achievements in the Space Race.

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A film that recounts NASA's Apollo 13 mission, where an in-space explosion forces astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise to abort their moon landing and fight for survival. The movie highlights the intense efforts of both the crew and ground control to safely return the astronauts to Earth, showcasing resilience and teamwork in the face of adversity.

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In American films, Homer is unique as the sole protagonist in the Space Race genre, who is not employed by NASA throughout the movie.

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The depiction of adversity and triumphs in Space Race films reinforces themes central to American national identity.

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The British viewpoint presents a stark challenge to the notion of American national identity, a recurring theme in other Space Race films, offering a unique lens that broadens the narrative scope beyond U.S. achievements and explores the global impact and fascination with space exploration.

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The theme of American identity aligns with the creedal perspective that being American is defined by embracing and living according to values such as equality, individualism, hard work, and freedom (Bui, 3).

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The time period in which the film was made (2016).

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The time period in which the film was made (2016).

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Occasionally highlights the racist attitudes of individuals encountered by the three protagonists rather than addressing the broader state of American politics at the time.

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By the end of the film, all characters previously shown to harbor racist and sexists views have come to accept the protagonists, acknowledging their contributions and hard work.

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Hollywood has started to focus more on female-driven narratives, highlighting significant contributions from women throughout history that have previously been ignored (Solnit).

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Showcases the story of three African American women overcoming adversity in a racist, male-dominated field, serving as a source of inspiration for young girls today by highlighting their perseverance and success.

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The film aligns with creedal American national identity by showcasing the protagonists' adherence to values like equality, hard work, and individualism as they overcome adversity in a male-dominated field.

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Rewrites America's controversial past for contemporary society and reflects the belief that embracing these creedal tenets is foundational to being American and achieving success.

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This sentiment of American national identity is exclusive to the films that are "Based on a True Story".

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Does not outwardly perpetuate the creedal sentiment of American national identity.

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With Jim Lovell stating, “There were serious doubts we could beat the Russians to the moon. But tonight, a mere 18 months after the tragedy of Apollo 1, the entire world watched in awe as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon” (1:34)

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Is the only mention of the Soviet Union in the film.

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Largely ignore the rivalry with the Soviet Union, which significantly motivated the founding of NASA and its subsequent endeavors (Launius, 21).

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Purposely overlook this competitive aspect and the broader historical political context, choosing instead to emphasize individual narratives that reinforce the ideals of American national identity.

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"We have had our failures, but so have others, even if they do not admit them. And they may be less public."

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"We are behind, and will be behind for some time in manned flight. But we do not intend to stay behind, and in this decade, we shall make up and move ahead."

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Neither of this statements are shown in film adaptations.

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The Soviet Unions secrecy regarding their space race failures (Gerovitch, 464).

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The United States transparency with their shortcomings and failures.

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The time period in which the film was made (2018).

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The time period in which the film was made (2018).

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Specifically highlights Neil's somber emotional journey throughout its duration.

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The death of his 2 year old daughter Karen to brain cancer.

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The film showed the setbacks in the Space Race had a profound effect on the mental health of NASA staff, particularly as they grappled with the loss of their colleagues.