Armstrong film reignites flag debate
When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin planted the American flag on the moon in 1969, it marked one of the proudest moments in US history.
But a new film about Armstrong has chosen to leave out this most patriotic of scenes, arguing that the ‘‘giant leap for mankind’’ should not be seen as an example of American greatness.
The film, First Man, was unveiled at the Venice Film Festival yesterday, where the absence of the stars and stripes was noted by critics.
Its star, Ryan Gosling, pictured, was asked if the film was a deliberately unAmerican take on the moon landing. He replied that Armstrong’s accomplishment ‘‘transcended countries and borders’’.
Gosling explained: ‘‘I think this was widely regarded in the end as a human achievement [and] that’s how we chose to view it.
‘‘I also think Neil was extremely humble, as were many of these astronauts. Time and time again he deferred the focus from himself to the 400,000 people who made the mission possible. He was reminding everyone that he was just the tip of the iceberg.
‘‘So I don’t think that Neil viewed himself as an American hero. From my interviews with his family and people that knew him, it was quite the opposite. We wanted the film to reflect Neil.’’ Gosling joked: ‘‘I’m Canadian, so might have cognitive bias.’’
The planting of the flag was controversial in 1969. There was disagreement over whether a US or United Nations flag should be used. Armstrong said later: ‘‘In the end it was decided by Congress that this was a United States project. We were not going to make any
territorial claim, but we were to let people know that we were here and put up a US flag.
‘‘My job was to get the flag there. I was less concerned about whether that was the right artefact to place. I let other, wiser minds than mine make those kinds of decisions.’’
First Man is based on an authorised biography of Armstrong by James Hansen. It has the backing of the astronaut’s family, including his two sons, and of Nasa.
Armstrong died in 2012, aged 82. President Barack Obama paid tribute to him as ‘‘among the greatest of American heroes – not just of his time, but of all time’’.