In film it’s lucky if it gets a walk-on part, and seldom has the chance to shine, but physics is crucial to the storyline of many films and its contribution to cinema has largely been ignored.
The Institute of Physics (IOP) and Rio Cinema in Dalston, London, have teamed up to rectify this with Physics on Film. The cinema is screening a series of five top physics-themed films, like the groundbreaking SUNSHINE and the retro classic BACK TO THE FUTURE.
Each film will be introduced by experts in relevant fields of physics who will explain and elaborate upon the science in the films.
The films set to show include SUNSHINE (26/4/08), last year’s sci-fi thriller about a team of astronauts on a mission to save the dying sun, and COPENHAGEN (10/5/08), about two pioneers of quantum physics caught on different sides of Germany’s occupation of Denmark during World War II.
Sam Rae, outreach officer at IOP, explained the aim of the screenings, “We’ve chosen these films because in various ways they all pay homage to physics, either integrating it into the storyline or communicating some of the beauty and mystery of cutting-edge physics.
“We hope that people will enjoy the films and go away thinking and talking about physics. It’s something that we can all be inspired by, even if we haven’t studied or worked in it.”
Other films in the series are A WOMAN IN WINTER (17/5/08) and THE DISH (3/5/08). The screening of the 1985 classic, BACK TO THE FUTURE (20/5/08), is a special screening for schools. Over 300 9-15 year olds from schools in Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest are attending.
The scientists introducing the films have been chosen because of their ability to relate complex physics problems in a down to earth and often humorous way.
A WOMAN IN WINTER will be introduced by Dr Michael Hawkins, of the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, who, according to the film’s writer and director, is the real-life inspiration for the film’s lead protagonist.
For a full listing of films, times and speakers go to www.physics.org/events