French science film festival in Cinematheques

In the movies - the story of Einstein's famous equation, a flight to Mars, the curvature of the universe, following the discoverer of the germ, the Mediterranean Sea and the odyssey of the human race

The film summaries:

E = MC² Biography of an equation

The film E = MC², based on the bestseller by David Bodanis, combines a historical plot starring well-known actors and interviews with experts in the field of science to mark the centenary of the discovery of the theory of relativity, and salutes those who paved the way for Einstein's theory. movie

This documentary-feature deals with one of Einstein's most important discoveries in 1905, and reveals the personal and professional difficulties these scientists encountered in their tireless attempts to understand the universe. The film recreates this saga through a fascinating gallery of portraits spanning different centuries and countries - Émilie du Châtelet, Antoine de Lavoisier, Michael Faraday, James Clerck Maxwell and more - and dives into the lives of the researchers whose discoveries eventually made it possible to arrive at the formula E = MC². The very rhythmic and scientifically meticulous storyline, also seasoned with light imaginative additions, accurately presents the construction of the concepts and history of the theory of relativity. Embedded within the complex are references from various experts, who offer interpretation, clarifications...

Beyond the blue sky

In less than thirty years, an expedition of men and women will set out for the planet Mars for a journey of nearly six months. It seems, indeed, that the plan to travel to Mars is still science fiction... but the exploration of Mars is definitely a real project, first and foremost for the astronauts involved in it emotionally and physically. [This introduction is a bit misleading, because it is thought that the interviewees in the film will travel to Mars, which is not true] Five astronauts - a Russian, an American, a Canadian and two Europeans - who have undergone a shake-up, literally, following their stay in space, reveal to us the full extent of this new adventure and the effects that may To be her, not only about science, but also about humanity as a whole. The evidence is accompanied by spectacular images of the solar system, of the planet Mars and Earth, as well as of the astronauts when performing missions in space outside the spacecraft. In their book about their experiences, these unique witnesses share with us their reflections on the future of space adventure and on the very human side of the personal adventure they experienced.

Is the universe curved?

Does the universe have limits? Is it finite or infinite? Do we live in a universe of illusory appearances, or do we directly see the universe as it really is? The new curved universe theories of two French astrophysicists, Marc Lachièze-Rey and Jean-Pierre Luminet, may mark a revolutionary turning point in the history of the study of the universe (cosmology). For 3,000 years, cosmologists have been trying to understand the harmony in the universe and wonder about the shape and dimensions of space. The general theory of gravity developed by Einstein is not sufficient to describe the shape of the universe as a whole, and this is where topology comes into play. These two researchers examined the different geometrical possibilities of the space, and from that they conceived a completely new idea. This theory of a universe with folds will completely change our view of the universe, which is based on appearance.

Mr. Nam: Following Alexander Yersen

Portrait of the researcher Alexandre Yersin (1863-1943), the discoverer of the bacterium (the bacillus) responsible for the plague. The story of his travels to Vietnam, where he spent a large part of his life, and his rich correspondence with his mother, and later with his sister, allow a glimpse into the extraordinary personality of Louis Pasteur's student and friend. Alexander Yersen was at the same time a great adventurer and a real explorer, and his memory still lives in the area where he chose to settle. Around archival photos and documents, this film additionally recreates the very unique atmosphere that characterized the travels at that time, real journeys that were marked by faith in scientific discoveries, but also, in this particular case, concern for others.

Mediterranean

This documentary explores the origins of the Mediterranean with the help of an extraordinary scientific program, Mater, which brings together researchers from 14 European countries. Teams of researchers plow the Mediterranean aboard real laboratory ships, from the Gulf of Lion to the shores of Crete, from Sicily to Corsica, from Carthage to Naples. Each expedition lasts a few weeks and collects data whose complete analysis will require several years. The documentary deals with the study of currents, monitoring the interaction between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the life of the plankton, the life of the microorganisms living in the depths, and more. The film, well documented and rich in simulations, makes good use of recent scientific developments for the benefit of a comprehensive understanding of the marine world.

The odyssey of mankind

10 million years ago in tropical Africa, following the disappearance of the forests, some large primates stand up and start walking on two legs. Faced with the dangers lurking in the savannah, they defend themselves and adapt, like all living creatures. Their intelligence grows, their consciousness develops. They invent, organize, walk the earth and sail the seas. They are conquering the world. We are their descendants. Whether we are Bretons, Chinese, Indians or Africans, whether our skin color is white, brown or yellow... we are all members of one and the same lineage.