“Sally is a very confusing central subject in some ways,” said Costantini. “The public Sally is so well documented that it’s a problem… The private story had to be invented in cinematic language.”
Ride’s Own Reflections Take on New Meaning
Throughout the film, Ride’s own words — especially her reflection on space — become even more poignant in light of her personal struggles.
“I loved being weightless,” Ride once said while in orbit. “It’s a feeling of freedom.”
Costantini builds on this quote to underscore the deeper metaphor: “She escaped Earth’s orbit — Earth’s gravity — metaphorically too.”
From seeing the Earth’s “imaginary lines” from space to finally embracing her authentic self back on Earth, Ride’s journey was as much personal as it was celestial.
Why Sally Matters Now
Costantini emphasizes that the documentary was never intended to be controversial. “We made this movie not thinking it was particularly controversial. We had no idea it would be this relevant.”
