Science on Screen Starts at MOMI This Sunday

If you’ve been paying attention over the past week, the American science world has had a bit of a shake up. One of the results is the creation of a series of “rogue” twitter accounts (you can see the full complement at this moment in time, here) due to unusual demands by the current administration. On a personal note, I believe science is deeply important and the idea that scientific research and publication could be at risk is an anathema.

In the vein of promoting the value of science and scientific thought, we’re here to tell you about the upcoming film series at the Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Avenue). It’s a nationwide film program, now in its 12th year, that enhances film and scientific literacy, and includes a series of screenings accompanied by discussions with scientists and filmmakers. For MOMI, it’s the first year they’ve participated, and adds, “the inaugural series from January 29 through May 21 includes films that span from the silent era through those made for the Internet, and focus on subjects ranging from seahorses to androids.”

The first film screens on Sunday, January 29, with two additional dates in March and May. More from MOMI:

The series of three programs opens Sunday, January 29 with a screening of “Teknolust,” Lynn Hershman Leeson’s 2002 film starring Tilda Swinton as a bio-geneticist who replicates herself into clones that need to seduce men in order to survive, followed by a discussion with Leeson and biologist Stuart Firestein.

On March 26, a selection of short films by Jean Painlevé, Isabella Rossellini, and Roberto Rossellini—all about sea creatures—will be followed by a conversation with Dr. Mandë Holford, whose research focuses on how the venom of marine snails can be used in drug development for pain and cancer treatment.

And, on May 21, a screening of the German Expressionist cinema masterpiece “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” presented with live musical accompaniment by High Water, will be followed by a discussion with sleep disorder specialist Dr. Carl Bazil and artist Javier Téllez (Caligari and the Sleepwalker). Conversations will be moderated by Sonia Epstein.” Ms. Epstein is Executive Editor of Sloan Science & Film.

This is an excellent sounding series, perfect for the science lovers, the intellectual curious, the critical thinker, and really anyone with an open mind and who also wants to expand their idea of the human experience; not to mention those who love quality movies. We hope you can carve out some time to attend this set of screenings.