DOCUMENTARY FEATURE | ADDITIONAL EDITOR
Nico’s dad traveled for work.
A Spanish-American NASA astronaut, Michael López-Alegría, became legendary for his lengthy missions to outer space. Meanwhile, his mom, the Swiss astrophysicist and diplomacy and technology expert Daria Robinson, kept the family together during Michael’s long absences. Back on Earth, the astronaut’s job takes a toll on the family, and during Michael’s last orbit, the marriage dissolves, leaving Nico with a universe of unanswered questions.
Fifteen years later, on the eve of his dad’s next space mission, Nico attempts to bridge the gap. With co-director ZZ, he documents intimate and heartrending conversations with his mom and dad. Diverging generational attitudes towards sexuality, climate change and family, stemming from vastly different upbringings, coalesce into a new sense of love and home; and for Nico, a renewed sense of self.
Directed by NICO LÓPEZ-ALEGRIA and ZZ.
Produced by DUSTIN NAKAO HAIDER AND STEFFIE VAN RHEE
CINEMATOGRAPHY BY STEVE MCCORD
Edited by MARLEY MCDONALD AND SAMMY DANE