Physics gets top billing at Rio Cinema

Institute of Physics

24 April 2008

Sunshine. 20th Century Fox

Physics on Film has been a great success so far receiving rave reviews from all who attend the screenings at the Rio Cinema in Dalston, London.  Film footage from the screening of ‘The Dish’ on Saturday, 3 May, is now available, including comment from Dr Simon Goodwin, lecturer in astronomy from Sheffield University, who explains the role of the scientist in films from the 1950s onwards.

The Institute of Physics (IOP) and Rio Cinema in Dalston, London, have teamed up to highlight the importance of physics in film by running a series of popular films at the Rio Cinema that have physics at the very heart of their story. So far, ‘Sunshine’ and ‘The Dish’ have been screened, with ‘Copenhagen’, ‘A Woman in Winter’ and ‘Back to the Future’ still to be shown.

Each film is introduced by experts in relevant fields of physics who will explain and elaborate upon the science in the films.

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.”

The screening of the 1985 classic, Back to the Future, is a special screening for schools. Over 300 9-15 year olds from schools in Hackney, Islington and WalthamForest 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 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 full listings please visit: www.physics.org/events

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