THE WONDERFUL: STORIES FROM THE SPACE STATION

Over twenty years ago rival nations put aside political and cultural differences and came together in a demonstration of international co-operation to create something unique – The International Space Station. For the first time in history, driven by his innate impulse to explore man had a permanently inhabited foothold in the heavens.

THE WONDERFUL draws together personal stories from men and women from around the world who have been a part of this extraordinary endeavour providing a fascinating insight into human nature and our relationship with planet Earth.

These testimonials bring an intimacy and uniqueness to the story – bringing life in space alive, yet showing the strong emotional ties that bind these astronauts to the earth - and we are left not only with a sense of the vast ‘velvet bottomless bucket’ of the universe but also the remarkable resilience and potential of mankind.

Drawing on breathtaking archive and interviews shot with astronauts, cosmonauts, family members and colleagues, the film revels in the remarkable achievement of technology, international collaboration, scientific endeavor and human bravery that the ISS has encapsulated during its time in space, and provides an insight into the beauty and majesty of witnessing earth from above. Caught under a giant magnifying glass, teams of scientists from different nations all work together towards a common scientific goal in extraordinary conditions. Cocooned in their revolving laboratory they are isolated from the world – family and friends – and can merely watch from a distance as life on Earth continues beneath them, and without them.

The Space Station remains a constant reminder of mankind’s frailties but also its ability to reach beyond the unimaginable, to life in space. But still within sight of home and the people we love.

In a world of compromise and uncertainty the ISS is a triumph of engineering and cooperation. As an example of what man can achieve when we put aside our differences is as more relevant now than when it was first conceived.

CLARE LEWINS​​​​​​​

DOKer 2021 — Special Screenings