NASA is gearing up to launch astronauts, including a Canadian, to the moon for the first time in over 50 years, marking a significant event for Thunder Bay-born filmmaker Laura-Lynn Petrick. The upcoming Artemis II mission is set to embark next week with four astronauts, including Canadian Jeremy Hanson, on a 10-day journey around the moon. While the spacecraft will not land on the lunar surface, it will engage in surveillance, testing, and experiments in preparation for Artemis III, which aims to return humans to the moon’s surface in the near future.
Celebrating this milestone is Canadian singer-songwriter Emm Gryner, who has released a new song titled “Touch the Sky,” accompanied by a music video directed, shot, and edited by filmmaker Laura-Lynn Petrick. Petrick expressed her excitement, mentioning that being involved in this project felt like her own version of a “Stanley Kubrick moment.” She emphasized the unifying nature of the mission and its potential to showcase human accomplishments.
The music video was filmed in various locations, including Thunder Bay and Sarnia, featuring local actor Leo James Durocher portraying a younger version of Jeremy Hanson. Gryner shared that the song was born out of a conversation with Catherine Hansen, Jeremy’s wife, and evolved into a collaborative effort with a team of talented individuals.
The collaboration between Petrick and Gryner was a long-awaited endeavor, culminating in a visually captivating and meaningful project that incorporates footage from NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, and Hansen’s training. Gryner expressed her satisfaction with the final product, highlighting its focus on honoring Jeremy’s work. Furthermore, Gryner mentioned that all proceeds from the song will be directed to the Bluewater Health Foundation in Sarnia, showcasing a commitment to giving back to the community.