How about your washing machine? Do you have a conversation with it? Whenever you accidentally bump against your coffee table, do you offer an apology? Is it possible that you were required, as a child, to give each of your stuffed animals an equal amount of time in your arms before going to sleep? If so, you’re in luck because there’s a documentary on Prime Video just for you.
Good Night Oppy, the next feature from Prime Video, has a new trailer out today, and let’s just say you might want to have some Kleenex handy. The uplifting (and real) story of Opportunity, a rover deployed to Mars for what was expected to be a 90-day mission, is the subject of a new documentary film that will be distributed to Prime Video in November (just in time for Thanksgiving). But Oppy exceeded everyone’s wildest dreams by staying alive on Mars for a whole 15 years.
The new movie will chronicle Opportunity’s historic mission to Mars. More than that, though, the film will delve into the unique connection that was created between the human creators of the robot and the rover that was launched into space millions of miles distant. The new teaser trailer provides insight into the technical and human dimensions of such an ambitious undertaking. The trailer opens with the traditional view of a space launch, complete with cheering spectators on the ground and in the control room.
Later, though, we see the simulated landing of the rover on Mars and its subsequent isolation. A voice is heard saying in the teaser, “Yeah, it’s simply a robot, but she becomes a family member.” The trailer then gives viewers a glance inside Oppy’s multi-year mission, as well as the scientists on Earth who track the rover’s activities. The trailer delves into both the grand scope of Opportunity’s quest to explore the uncharted and potentially dangerous territory and the close relationships the rover has formed with its creators. The fact that Opportunity survived for 15 years instead of the predicted three months only serves to strengthen their connection.
If you thought you knew how impressive the small rover was before, you’ll have a whole new perspective after watching the new clip. The movie Good Night Oppy is directed by Ryan White. Angela Bassett provides her voice acting skills to the movie as well. Jessica Hargrave, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Brandon Carroll, and Matthew Goldberg are the film’s producers.