Continuing to enhance thought-provoking topics related to acclaimed and beloved films, Science on Screen will return to the Athena Cinema with a free screening of the original 1959 Journey to the Center of the Earth, with geologist Dan Hembree and paleontologist Patrick O’Connor talking before and after.
Continuing to enhance thought-provoking topics related to acclaimed and beloved films, Science on Screen will return to the Athena Cinema with a free screening of the original 1959 Journey to the Center of the Earth, with geologist Dan Hembree and paleontologist Patrick O’Connor talking before and after.
A project of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Coolidge Corner Theater, Science on Screen presents popular movies in an engaging and informational way, adding context through speakers who explore the topics of a film with the audience.
“This is a motion picture that blends an extraordinary imagination with foundational themes in science related to the antiquity of the Earth and the organisms that once occupied it,” O’Connor said. “Much like many of the most popular movies today, it should capture a diverse audience and raise some very good questions.”
This year’s Science on Screen has been co-sponsored by the Knowing the Future theme, hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences. Daniel Phillips, director of the Knowing the Future program, said this film was chosen due to its exploration of science and technology within the geology and paleontology fields.
“I think students may be taken by the special effects, which were groundbreaking at the time but are now kind of amusing, but will understand that this was their attempt at making a groundbreaking film at the time,” Phillips said. “I think they will come, I want to come. I want to come and be entertained.”
Due to its exploration of the writings of the novel from Jules Verne, written in the 18th century, it’s clear that the movie’s look at science is different than it is today. Still, as a film grounded in exploring geology in an exciting, entertaining manner, the speakers feel that students will connect with and enjoy the movie.
“I am hoping that we see a really good turnout for the event and that people are engaged by the themes of the movie, and more importantly, how themes related to basic exploratory science are crucial in the world today,” O’Connor said.
