Neil Armstrong's Sons Fire Back: 'First Man' Isn't "Anti-American"

[left-of-center2012]

At a Venice press conference on Aug. 29, the film's star, Ryan Gosling, said he believed Armstrong's moonwalk "was widely regarded not as an American, but as a human achievement."

Rubio then fanned the flames on Aug. 31 when he responded to a news outlet's headline that claimed "Neil Armstrong movie 'First Man' omits the American flag."
The senator wrote in reply, "This is total lunacy. And a disservice at a time when our people need reminders of what we can achieve when we work together. The American people paid for that mission,on rockets built by Americans, with American technology & carrying American astronauts. It wasn’t a UN mission."

Neil Armstrong's sons, Rick and Mark, and First Man author James R. Hansen note that, yes, in the Universal film ...
"there are numerous shots of the American flag on the moon.
We’ve read a number of comments about the film today and specifically about the absence of the flag planting scene, made largely by people who haven’t seen the movie.

Of course, it celebrates an America achievement. It also celebrates an achievement ‘for all mankind,’ as it says on the plaque Neil and Buzz left on the moon.
Although Neil didn’t see himself that way, he was an American hero.”

In his own Aug. 31 statement, Chazelle explained his portrayal of the moon landing in the drama:
"In First Man I show the American flag standing on the lunar surface, but the flag being physically planted into the surface is one of several moments of the Apollo 11 lunar EVA that I chose not to focus upon," the director stated.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/neil-armstrongs-sons-fire-back-first-man-isnt-anti-american-1139081

[BootinUp]

1. Now I want to see it even more. Nt

[Turbineguy]

2. It harkens back to a time

when America did things for all mankind.

Not just to enrich trump.

For most of us who worked in the Apollo Project I imagine it was earning a living, but yes, the view from the top of the launchpad was bigger.

[Ferrets are Cool]

3. America is NOT the center of the universe, neither is the idiot Rubio. nt

[LunaSea]

4. Planting the flag in the regolith

proved to be daunting due to the hardness of the surface around the landing site.
Flag planting was something of an afterthought considering all that needed to be done just to get there alive.
The fact that it was placed far too close to the lander, which was also their launch platform, resulted
in the flag being knocked over from the blast of the ascent stage engine when they departed.
The 11 crew rarely spoke of that part of the flight, and I don't blame them.
Perhaps that had some bearing on the director paying less attention to that moment.
Armstrong was a heroic pilot long before he began training for the moon, but it was the quiet dignity
in which he led his amazing life that outshines any single moment of it.

FIRST MAN is a good read, I'm looking forward to the film.

If you really want to understand the Apollo experiences in exquisite detail, pick up Andrew Chaikens
"A Man on the Moon" it was the basis for the HBO series, and probably the best written account
available.

[pressbox69]

5. Rubio is an idiot.

Other than that I had trouble staying awake throughout the film. Thought it would be a snoozer when Gosling appeared before the movie started and thanked the audience for showing up to see it on the big screen and not waiting for it to come out on DVD or cable. Movies Are Your Best Entertainment.