Pariscience 2015

Ice and The Sky tells the story of a man who encountered his destiny, aged 23, in the Antarctic. The film will retrace his life's journey, from his first steps as a young glaciologist to the crowning moment of his glittering career - winning the Blue Planet Prize, the Nobel of environmental sciences. This is the story of Claude Lorius, and his groundbreaking climatological research.

In December 2015, the climatic future of the planet will be decided in Paris. During COP21, one of the largest conferences ever organized on the topic, the UN invites the nations of the world to sign an agreement to limit global warming. For the first time, scientists from around the world are uniting to influence these negotiations. Led by Jeffrey Sachs, a committed and influential economist, their mission is to convince the decision-makers of the world that the catastrophe can be avoided without returning to the Stone Age.

In this hard-hitting film, director Peter Webber (The Girl with a Pearl Earring, Hannibal Lecter: The Origins of Evil…) and Stephen Emmot, a research director at the University of Cambridge and Microsoft Research, deliver a warning message about the functioning of our planet and its future. They make us aware of the impact of our lifestyle, focusing on water, energy, transportation, and consumption. What choices should we make for the world of tomorrow?

Retreating glaciers, earlier blooming and harvest dates, decline in water resources... While the signs of climate change are still relatively subtle in France, they are now undeniable and will only accelerate. Throughout the 21st century, France will need to adapt to limit the upcoming impacts, but will it be able to do so while preserving what defines its identity?

As part of the series "Les Grands Singes font le mur" and the exhibition "Sur la piste des Grands Singes" organized by the National Museum of Natural History, Pariscience invites you to discover the French premiere of Le Complexe du chimpanzé, directed by Marc Schmidt. The screening will be followed by a discussion with scientists from the museum. This will be an opportunity to reflect on the fates of these species and question their living conditions and future.

Watch this film at Physics Reimagined
How do scientists publish their discoveries? From first idea to publication, this film takes you through the long, painstaking, but ultimately elating process of a discovery in physics. This film is an animated documentary that deals with the technical, as well as the human aspect, of a scientific publication process. It is also a more general outreach attempt at explaining what research is, and how it is organized.
Physics Reimagined is a research team from the Laboratory of Solid State Physics (LPS) at the Université Paris-Sud and CNRS that works on many ways to present solid-state physics and its recent discoveries to the broader audience.)

This animated feature celebrates 17th-century citizen-scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, whose discoveries of microbes changed our view of the biological world.
In 1674, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek looked at a drop of lake water through his homemade microscope and discovered an invisible world that no one knew existed. His work inspired countless microbiology researchers, including HHMI investigator Bonnie Bassler, one of the narrators of this animated feature. Leeuwenhoek was a haberdasher and city official in Delft, The Netherlands. He started making simple microscopes and using them to observe the world around him. He was the first to discover bacteria, protists, sperm cells, blood cells, rotifers, and much more.

Composting helps the Earth to grow, it helps life to grow. This docu-animation film explores, via 3 month of photos taken once every two hours, how the passing of time turns a dying world into a new one, a current one, and a fertile one.

The public is invited to discover how it is possible to determine the age of the solar system and how much time remains before the Sun engulfs the inner planets, those that are closer to the Sun than Earth.

In the face of climate change and the growing global population, the demand for irrigation water will increase. Here are three fun minutes on research efforts and solutions to consider for addressing these new challenges.

In 1957, Claude Lorius, a young student, joined the pioneers of polar science in Antarctica. This experience of extreme living revealed his calling : Claude would be a glaciologist. Convinced that the ices of the Antarctic contained crucial data to understand the climatic history of our world, he pursued his research for three decades. What he discovered exceeded his wildest expectations...
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What were the lifestyles of our ancestors and their interactions with their environment? This episode sheds light on the Gallo-Roman civilization, a dynamic and refined civilization that influenced all aspects of daily life.

In the 1980s, underground radioactive waste storage projects multiplied, raising the question of "nuclear semiotics." A code or lasting language had to be designed to indicate the danger of these storage sites, which are intended to last for thousands of years. Two scientists then proposed creating a breed of cats that would change color near radioactive substances. Today, against all expectations, the folklore surrounding this far-fetched project might actually be one of the most interesting approaches to addressing the challenges of nuclear semiotics.

"Avatars of Light" is a series of ten six-minute short films, produced in 2015 on the occasion of the International Year of Light proclaimed by UNESCO. This series explores scientific and technological advances related to light, covering topics such as holograms, biofuels, augmented reality and laser sculpting of matter. Guided by physicist and philosopher Étienne Klein, each episode offers a fascinating immersion into the heart of contemporary research on light technologies that are transforming our world.

Embark on an olfactory experience! This fascinating documentary immerses us in the world of smell, a key trigger and essential element of our emotions. Specialists and scientists teach us how this sense is at the heart of our lives.

This film tells the story of a young woman who travels along the East Coast of the United States, following in the footsteps of the photographer and engineer Harold Edgerton. Every poetic image and every fragment of this film echoes his inventions.

What if we lived forever? Two eccentric scientists, Bill Andrews and Aubrey de Grey, recount their fight to promote eternal life in a world they consider "blind to the tragedy of aging."

In the early 20th century, the average American medicine cabinet was filled with radioactive radium, thallium, and morphine in everyday products. The scientific knowledge to detect and prevent crimes committed with these materials didn't evolve until 1918. New York City's first scientifically trained medical examiner, Charles Norris, and his chief toxicologist, Alexander Gettler, turned forensic chemistry into a formidable science and set the standards for the rest of the country.

In the face of the inevitable reduction in oil production, the use of shale oil appears to be an appealing solution. Around this controversial topic, this documentary outlines the climate, economic, and energy challenges of such a solution.

Pierre Bergounioux is one of the great writers of our time. While his work has a universal appeal, it also has its favored territories of exploration: history and literature, memory and the act of writing, childhood and the Corrèze region. A voice, indeed, but also a body—gnarled, vibrant, Giacometti-esque. Consumed by his passions, Pierre fiercely collects objects and the words to recount them—scraps of iron, insects, everything…Six months ago, he and I set off together to the Plateau de Millevaches in Corrèze. I had asked him to go there to capture his favorite insects for us—a butterfly, a hawk moth, some hoplia beetles. We had ten days. It was in June, it should have been sunny, abounding with insects. But that would have been too easy. It would not have been the Plateau. It would not have been Pierre.

June 1944: The Allies land in Normandy with thousands of liters of blood in their hold. Through the journey of Dr. Herbert Stern, a military doctor, this documentary tells the story of hematology and the stakes of blood transfusions.

From the oldest stone to robotic materials, the history of humanity has been shaped by the use of materials. Artificial hands, new architectures, and fashion... This documentary unveils the latest discoveries that are transforming both humans and society.

During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians.

This film documents an event that has never taken place – man's first encounter with intelligent life from space".With unprecedented access to the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, the military, and experts from leading space agencies, the film explores a first contact scenario, beginning with the simplest of questions: Why are you here? How do you think? What do you see in humans that we don't see in ourselves? A journey beyond a terrestrial perspective, revealing the fears, hopes, and rituals of a species forced not only to confront alien life forms, but also its own self image.

Cali, Colombia. A tailor, a puppeteer, a parapsychologist, and a physicist share stories of strange events that occurred in their city. A connection between these events slowly unfolds...

Plutonium is now at the heart of scientific, geopolitical, and industrial issues. From military to civilian nuclear energy, this film traces the origins and uses of the highly sought-after artificial metal.

Telling the story of the Moon is also telling the story of Earth. Since the dawn of time, the fates of both planets have been closely intertwined. Blending myth and reality, this documentary chronicles the four billion years of the Moon's evolution.

Can music revive memory? This is the challenge posed by Dan Cohen, president of the Music & Memory Association, to elderly individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. This documentary shows us that music leaves indelible marks...

Biological factors or education? Through testimonies, investigations, and experiments, Thierry Berrod reveals the latest discoveries on the sexual orientation of men, women, and... animals. Homosexuality or heterosexuality, is it a choice?

Krill is the largest biomass on the planet: all life in the Southern Ocean depends on it. In recent decades, its population has been dangerously declining. To understand this phenomenon, several scientists embark on an expedition to Antarctica.

Sugar can kill! The director, Andrea, is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. She must avoid any form of refined sugar. That soon proves impossible though, because she finds sugar everywhere and in everything. Fear for her unborn baby changes the eating habits in Andrea's family and motivates her investigation of the sugar industry. The quest begins at Andrea's kitchen table and continues worldwide over nearly five years. A tragicomic, vibrant and emotional story that is informative and inspiring… A film that will set you free from the Sugar Blues!

A real life science fiction movie exploring a world creeping right beneath our feet, where time and space are magnified and intelligence redefined. The Creeping Garden is a feature length creative documentary exploring the work of fringe scientists, mycologists and artists, and their relationship with the extraordinary plasmodial slime mold. This is a unique exploration into a hitherto untapped subject matter, observing and immersing the audience into the worlds of the observers and the observed.

The paintings in the Chauvet Cave are the oldest artistic testimonies of humanity. Christian Tran films the work of the specialists responsible for the cave's reconstruction and captures the significance of these artworks, which rival those of the great masters.

In order to meet future care demands for elderly who are lonely and suffering from dementia, carebot Alice has been developed. Can a robot build a human relationship with someone and thus replace a person of flesh and blood? The three women, all getting on in years, who are visited by her in ALICE CARES actually become pretty fond of the robot girl.

An imposing black structure provides a connection between the past and the future in this enigmatic adaptation of a short story by revered sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke. When Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and other astronauts are sent on a mysterious mission, their ship's computer system, HAL, begins to display increasingly strange behavior, leading up to a tense showdown between man and machine that results in a mind-bending trek through space and time.

Today, billions of pieces of information are stored and exchanged digitally. What is the capacity of our society to create memory? The film attempts to answer these questions through a fascinating investigation.

November 2014: millions of people follow live the landing of the Philae robot on the comet Chury. Discover the story of the Rosetta space mission through exclusive access to the crucial phases of the final year of the mission.

What is this portable and wireless device that we can no longer live without today? It is the mobile phone! This fascinating documentary tells the story of the invention of this revolutionary object and the impact it has had on our daily lives.

In science fiction films, it is possible to control the gray matter of scientists and criminals through computers. Is this possible in reality? Rob van Hattum, both a guinea pig and investigator, opens the door to a world where brains are connected to computers.

In 1975, La Soufrière, the volcano in Guadeloupe, threatens to erupt. In the face of this possibility, two figures, Claude Allègre and Haroun Tazieff, oppose each other, embodying two different approaches to volcanology and the management of natural risk.

Sea levels are rising, oceans are warming, storms are becoming more violent, and droughts are more frequent. Architects, scientists, and specialists are imagining the constructions of tomorrow to protect us from the uncertainties of climate.

Embark on the transportation of the future! Suspended trams, flying cars, electric airplanes, vacuum high-speed trains... Engineers and designers are working on revolutionary transportation projects that are faster and more energy-efficient.

What do we know today about this mysterious species? At the origin of the myth of the sea serpent, the oarfish is a majestic fish still largely unknown to researchers. Experts and diving enthusiasts take us on a scientific expedition to discover this king of the abyss.

Who will win the next World Cup? When will the next economic crisis occur? Many computer experts claim that it is now possible to predict such events. What are the risks and benefits of these predictions? Specialists and scientists provide answers.

Like a detective, Sergio Wolf follows the trail of meteorite hunters. From Campo del Cielo in Argentina, through Pittsburgh and Tucson in the United States, this film tells the story of an obsession and questions our relationship with these stones that fell from the sky.

Can a robot become a real little boy? Steven Spielberg immerses us in a futuristic world, where, beyond advancements in artificial intelligence, it is the question of humanity that is raised.

The young quantum physicist Konstantin teaches at university and during summer vacation he goes to a university's sea campus. Every day he teaches for a group of students, and at night he keeps order in he dormitory. Students prefer summer, girls and their own youth instead of physics. Like a fish out of the water, Konstantin perceives the surrounding reality through the prizm of physics and feels the opposition between the classical world and the quantum one. Both worlds don't seem to fit in.

March 15, 1989. The province of Quebec is suddenly plunged into darkness. The cause of this blackout: a solar storm impacting the Earth's surface. This film explores an emerging scientific field that aims to predict such events: space weather forecasting.

With this documentary, let's explore one of the most famous megalithic sites! Using new technologies, archaeologists and scientists reveal the secrets of Stonehenge while taking us on a journey through time.

Coffee maker, car, cactus, human being... Everything is made of atoms! To understand the composition of our world, a man and his "atomic consciousness" embark on a journey to uncover the atoms and their history.

At the edges of the deserts of Arabia, Syria, and the Negev, Petra is home to the remains of monuments that are among the most spectacular of the ancient world. This fascinating documentary unveils the secrets of this city built more than two millennia ago.

Alex, a renowned engineer, is summoned by the Faculty of Robotics to design a robot child. He decides to use his niece, Eva, as the model. This film explores the solitude of humanity in a world where new android beings are emerging.

AIDS remains the most devastating pandemic the world has ever faced. Starting from the heart of Africa, this captivating documentary traces the trajectory of the disease. Could colonial history hold the key to understanding the spread of AIDS?

Solar Impulse is the only aircraft with unlimited autonomy, capable of flying day and night without fuel. Before its attempt at a round-the-world journey in 2015, Solar Impulse completed its west-to-east crossing of the United States during the summer of 2013.

Awareness, discoveries, and debates about climate change are on the agenda for this session, organized around the animated short film "The Secret of the Ice."

This film takes us on a journey to discover those who brought human society out of darkness into the light. Numerous inventions and discoveries have transformed the way we live, sometimes leading to unexpected consequences for our societies.

The city dweller and the artisan: two key figures of Gallo-Roman civilization. The Romanization of Gaul introduced a new way of life, fostering the development of both craftsmanship and urban centers. And where there is a city, there is a city dweller.

For African wildlife, the long journey to adulthood is fraught with obstacles. However, the challenges and dangers vary depending on the species, and each one finds its own solutions to guide its offspring to maturity.

The first traces of the cinematograph in Paleolithic art? A new interpretation of these paintings and engravings reveals instances of movement decomposition in the animals depicted: a fundamental step on the path to animated cinema.

In the heart of the Burgundian forest, a medieval castle rises as craftsmen and scientists at Guédelon reconstruct history using authentic 13th-century tools, materials, and techniques, reviving forgotten medieval knowledge.

Mistigri is a stray cat living in the city center. Over the seasons, the cat roams the city in search of various species of urban and wild animals that fascinate him: rats, mice, garden birds, swarms of summer swifts...

Fabrice Barès, who is amputated from his right hand, wears a "bionic" prosthesis. The "bionic arm" has become the spearhead of an ongoing revolution, where robotics and computer specialists are working in the service of medicine to "repair" amputees.

The world's major cities will soon face a huge challenge: feeding 7 billion urban residents. Is urban agriculture the solution? Combining agriculture with new technologies, the concept of "vertical farming" is gaining increasing success.

In the Bay of Somme with seals, on the Breton islands with puffins, in the Camargue with flamingos, or in the Mediterranean with dolphins, Emma Baus explores the conflict between humans and animals, guided by those who observe and protect them daily.

Throughout the year, most of Greenland, which is four times the size of France, is covered in ice. However, the ice moves towards the sea, and this movement is accelerating, which, in the short or long term, will have consequences on sea levels.

In recent years, high-tech prosthetics and implants have been multiplying to replace failing organs and limbs. Technological advancements suggest the rise of "cyborg bodies"... Will the human of tomorrow become a half-human, half-robot being?