Daily life and science are inseparable. Through imaginative scientific settings, science fictions lead us to different and weird worlds so that we have opportunities to discuss various issues that may affect the world, such as human cloning, climate change and space exploration, thus leading us to reconsider our situation.
<i>Waterworld</i> brings us to the future Earth on which the sea level is so high that there seems to be no land. On the threat of death, what is the crux of human survival? From <i>Contact</i> which features the search of extraterrestrial intelligence to <i>Moon</i> which depicts the exploration of the Moon, do human beings have sufficient knowledge to deal with these issues?
This programme is co-organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Film Programmes Office. Post-screening talks conducted by those in the related scientific fields will be held for each film. Apart from enjoying the films, audience may have some afterthoughts about the relationship between science, human, and our Earth. A treat that science fiction film fans should not miss.
<b><u>Introduction of post-screening talks</b></u>
<b><i>Contact</b></i>
02.04.2023 (Sun)
The speaker will introduce some astronomical topics behind the film, such as radio astronomy and exoplanets, and will analyse the possibility of discovering extraterrestrial life.
Speaker: Dr. Chu-wing SO (Assistant Curator, Hong Kong Space Museum)
07.04.2023 (Fri)
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) aims to look for radio signals that could be signs of life in the Universe with radio telescopes. The speaker will introduce radio astronomy, the observatories where the main character had been working and discuss the research challenges for the scientists.
Speaker: Dr. Chun-sing LEUNG (Teaching Fellow, Department of Applied Mathematics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
<i><b>Moon</i></b>
09.04.2023 (Sun)
The speaker will explore what is on the far side of the Moon. Does the solar wind affect satellite communication? Where can we find Helium-3? And is it science fiction to mine Helium-3 on the Moon?
Speaker: Miss Gloria CHEUNG (Assistant Curator, Hong Kong Space Museum)
14.04.2023 (Fri)
CRISPR is a revolutionary genome editing technology. It works like a pair of scissors that can cut DNA strands precisely and allows us to rewrite the blueprints of life. The speaker will introduce the basic mechanism of genome editing, its diverse applications in real-life and biomedicine, and discuss the related ethical implications.
Speaker: Dr. Alan WONG (Assistant Professor, School of Biomedical Science, The University of Hong Kong)
<i><b>Waterworld</i></b>
15.04.2023 (Sat) and 16.04.2023 (Sun)
In the imagination of the film-maker, the polar ice sheets will have melted and Earth will be inundated with water in the future. Our world will become a waterworld. How close has climate change led us to this post-apocalyptic world, according to the actual scientific data?
Speaker: Miss Eliza CHAN (Chief Experimental Officer, Hong Kong Observatory)