In reflecting on her relationship with Sally Ride, Tam O’Shaughnessy expressed a sense of understanding mixed with frustration. “I realized this was her fundamental nature, and she had much at stake, but I found it displeasing,” she recalled. Despite these feelings, love ultimately prevailed. “I wish we could have been more transparent. I loved her, and it would have been enjoyable to share her with a wider circle, including friends she kept at a distance. However, once we founded our science education company, we recognized our reliance on corporate sponsorships. We couldn’t risk being open about our relationship,” O’Shaughnessy explained.
A Private Life
Faced with the intricate tapestry of Sally Ride’s life, director Cristina Costantini expressed the challenge of reconciling her public persona with her private experiences. “I genuinely believe there are two distinct narratives here,” Costantini noted. “One is the Sally who’s widely known and established; her story is thoroughly documented, with extensive footage from NASA’s archives. We had to sift through an overwhelming amount of material, much of which was vaguely categorized as ‘shuttle era’ content, requiring us to sync audio to the visuals.”
On the other hand, immersing into the more intimate aspects of Ride’s life prompted the use of reenactments. “There are limited photographs and virtually no footage depicting their life together,” Costantini shared. “Consequently, we opted to develop a visual narrative that would effectively convey the essence of their love story while complementing Tam’s storytelling in these private moments. This film weaves together remarkable space adventures alongside profoundly personal experiences, balancing the grand and the intimate.”
“We created this film for anyone who has ever had to conceal a part of themselves to achieve their dreams,” Costantini continued. “In 2025, this experience is even more prevalent. I find great inspiration in Tam and Sally’s courage: Sally’s willingness to venture into outer space and Tam’s bravery in living openly as a queer woman during a time of societal prejudice. In reviewing Sally’s history, one can discover echoes of similar challenges we face today.”
