16 Sunrises

16 Sunrises, a captivating French documentary released in 2018, introduces a significant shift from conventional earthbound concerns to the stunning infinite expanses of space. Directed by Pierre-Emmanuel Le Goff, the film highlights the unique journey of an astronaut, Thomas Pesquet, and consist key figures such as Johannes Oliver Hamm and Oleg Novitsky.

Thomas Pesquet, the man at the center of the film, is a French aerospace engineer and European Space Agency astronaut. He spent six months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and his journey forms the central theme of the movie. As the title implies, 16 Sunrises provides the audience with the fact that aboard the ISS, astronauts witness sixteen sunrises every day - an awe-inspiring experience that most people on earth will never truly fathom.

The movie is instrumental in offering unique insights into the life of an astronaut, while also touching upon the beauty and serenity of space. However, don't expect the high-octane drama and suspense characteristic of Hollywood space blockbusters. Instead, 16 Sunrises connects on a deeply personal and humane level, spotlighting the profound loneliness alongside the tranquility engendered by the expanse of the cosmos.

The cinematography is a standout feature in this movie. The images of Earth and the vast, poignant, and grand sweep of space are simply breathtaking. From the swirling eye of a hurricane to the fragile membrane of atmosphere that shields Earth from the devastating radiation of space, the film presents an aesthetic spectacle of the only world we know, as seen from the only humans who have witnessed it from beyond.

As Pesquet embarks on his journey, we come to appreciate not only the technology and precision necessary to pull off such an endeavor but also the mental and physical demands of space travel on the astronauts themselves. Interwoven with majestic images of Earth from space are the intimate scenes of Pesquet and his crewmates, Johannes Oliver Hamm, and Oleg Novitsky, managing their day-to-day lives on ISS. These scenes, frequently buoyant and touched with humor, provide a heartfelt look at the camaraderie and interpersonal relationships that develop in such an extreme and surreal environment.

Beyond a simple journey to space, 16 Sunrises also has profound reflections on the very nature of existence. Pesquet, while floating above the globe, muses on the world's beauty and fragility, the way nations and their seeming differences blur into insignificance from this perspective.

Intercut with extraordinary scenes of the Earth from above are sequences filmed on the ground – many at the European Astronaut Centre and Star City (where astronauts undergo training), as well as Pesquet's family home in Normandy. These sequences instill an effective contrast and highlight how astronauts' perspectives inevitably change when they experience the 'Overview Effect' - a cognitive shift in awareness of the Earth's interconnectedness and fragility as seen from space.

What transpires is a beautiful and gentle exploration and communication of the human condition in the ether of space. It moves at a subdued, slightly meditative pace, much as astronauts must move within the confines of the International Space Station, allowing the audience time to marinate in the awe-inspiring visuals and Pesquet's thoughtful voiceover.

The documentaries synth-heavy soundtrack adds an extra depth to the experience. It echoes melodies peculiar to the sci-fi genre, but its serene harmonies pair up surprisingly well with the breathtaking views and the weightlessness of the space station inhabitants.

Ultimately though, 16 Sunrises is a tale of separation and unity, loneliness and camaraderie, earthbound lives and cosmic journeys. It beautifully presents a journey that stirs up fundamental questions about our place in the universe, the fragility of our planet, and the profound unity of all beings on earth. The film unveils a new understanding and reminds us that space isn't just a vast, cold void but a perspective, a state of mind and a testament to what humanity can achieve when it reaches for the stars.

A cinematic marvel, 16 Sunrises, provides a unique, mesmerizing, and thought-provoking view on space travel that is certain to leave audiences starstruck.