Mercury 13

Mercury 13_1.jpg

Showings

Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema Fri, Apr 27, 2018 6:30 PM
TIFF Lightbox 1 Sat, Apr 28, 2018 10:45 AM
Isabel Bader Theatre Sat, May 5, 2018 6:30 PM
TIFF Lightbox 1 Sun, May 6, 2018 5:45 PM
Film Info
Runtime:80
Copyright:2018
Country Listing:Ireland
Premiere Status:International Premiere
Rating:PG
Festival Info
Festival Year:2018
Language:English
Program Category:Special Presentations
Film Subjects:Her Story
Science & Technology
Travel, Adventure & Exploration
Cast/Crew Info
Director(s):David Sington
Heather Walsh
Producer(s):David Sington
Heather Walsh
Brendan Byrne
Trevor Birney
Geraldine Creed
Executive Producer(s):Jason Spingarn-Koff
Trevor Birney
Geraldine Creed
Editor(s):David Fairhead
Paul Holland
Composer:Philip Sheppard

Description

Mercury 13 is a remarkable story of the women who were tested for spaceflight in 1961 before their dreams were dashed in being the first to make the trip beyond Earth. NASA’s "man in space" program, dubbed "Project Mercury" began in 1958. The men chosen—all military test pilots—became known as The Mercury 7. But away from the glare of the media, behind firmly closed doors, female pilots were also screened. Thirteen of them passed and, in some cases, performed better than the men. They were called the Mercury 13 and had the "right stuff" but were, unfortunately, the wrong gender. Underneath the obsession of the space race that gripped America, the women were aviation pioneers who emerged thirsty for a new frontier, but whose time would have to wait. The film tells the definitive story of thirteen truly remarkable women who reached for the stars but were ahead of their time. A Netflix original documentary directed by David Sington (The Fear of 13) and Heather Walsh.

Additional Information

National Post - "From Won’t You Be My Neighbor? to Love, Gilda, the top 10 to watch at this year's Hot Docs"

NOW - "Ten must-see Hot Docs films focusing on women's stories"

The Gate - "15 Must See Documentaries from the Opening Weekend of Hot Docs' 25th Landmark Year."