A Million Miles Away: The Inspiring Journey Of José Hernández

“A Million Miles Away” offers a profound glimpse into the remarkable journey of José Hernández, a NASA flight engineer who defied the odds to reach the stars. In a world where dreams often seem out of reach, Hernández’s story stands out as a testament to perseverance and determination. His journey from being a migrant farm worker to becoming an astronaut is not just inspirational; it is a reminder of the power of hard work and the importance of community support.

As Michael Peña, who portrays Hernández in the film, poignantly asks, “Who better to leave this planet and dive into the unknown than a migrant farm worker?” This question encapsulates the essence of Hernández’s story, highlighting the unique perspective that comes from overcoming personal and societal challenges. The film, directed by Alejandra Márquez Abella, marks her first venture into English-language cinema and showcases her ability to tell a compelling story through a lens of authenticity.

After facing rejection from NASA's astronaut training program a staggering eleven times, Hernández finally succeeded at the age of 41 in 2004. His selection as a mission specialist on the STS-128 mission, which transported cargo to the International Space Station, speaks volumes about resilience. Márquez Abella, who recently won an Ariel Award for her film “Northern Skies Over Empty Space,” brings this incredible narrative to the screen, inviting audiences to reflect on the power of dreams and the journeys that shape our lives.

Biography of José Hernández

Key Takeaways from "A Million Miles Away"

Ahead of its release on Prime Video, Hernández and Márquez Abella spoke to De Los about what the film means to them. The following interview has been edited for clarity and length.

José, how did it feel to share your story about getting to space?

Hernández: I feel very humbled by the fact that there’s a whole movie being portrayed about my life. I look at it as an opportunity to inspire and empower people that see the movie. The moral of the story is it doesn’t matter where you started; it matters where you point yourself toward and where you end up.

Alejandra, how did it feel to tell Hernández’s story?

Márquez Abella: I feel so privileged to be part of this project not only because I think it’s a marvelous story but because it changed my own perception about myself. I reminded myself that José had gone through that going into NASA; it was comforting and made me feel confident.

What elements did you appreciate the most during the filming?

Hernández: What I appreciate the most about what Alejandra did is that she didn’t make it about me. It wasn’t about José Hernández; she made it about a journey of a family, of your significant other, of your community.

If one of those key people did not do what they did in that movie, there’s no way I would have been selected. You start off with Miss Young; she changed the trajectory of the whole family and convinced my parents to stay in one place.

There’s no way I could have become an astronaut had my dad not given me that five-ingredient recipe that Alejandra masterfully sprinkles across the movie. I wouldn’t have been an astronaut had my boss not encouraged me to apply for a Russian job.

Had my wife not asked the question: “What do they have that you don’t have?” I wouldn’t have made it. So it’s a collective effort where we all contributed and we finally got selected. I say we because it was everybody.

What do you hope that people take away from this film?

Márquez Abella: José became an astronaut because he was a migrant farm worker, not in spite of it. He had a set of abilities like resilience and a strong work ethic. You carry that in your background, and that’s what makes you succeed.

We should keep looking for new ways of communicating our existence as a community. You have to celebrate the good things and the aspects that make us who we are. José’s story is emblematic of that.

What was it like to go through this experience of becoming an astronaut and still be very present in your family life?

Hernández: Too bad we didn’t have more time for the story because I would have loved to cover the portion when I decided to leave NASA. After returning from space, I realized the commitment of training on a Russian vehicle for years meant I would miss my children's milestones.

That’s when I decided to leave NASA, prioritizing family over career accomplishments.

Life comes full circle now. They say you could take a kid out of the farm, but not the farm out of the kid. I have my own vineyard and work it with my father. It’s the best six years I spent with him. I have my own line of wines, Tierra Luna Cellars. You must keep moving and putting goals in front of you. Otherwise, you stagnate, and that’s not good. You always have to aspire to do something.

The film "A Million Miles Away" is a powerful reminder of resilience, family, and pursuing dreams against all odds. It is rated PG for thematic elements and language, with a running time of 2 hours. It is currently playing in select theaters and streaming on Prime Video.