It is possible to learn a little about the history of science from the cinema, watching productions that present the lives and work of personalities who, in one way or another, were involved in scientific research and changed the direction of society. Check out seven of these titles below.
Film productions that tell stories about scientists are sometimes misunderstood as if they were just gimmicks for high school students to learn science. But they are much more than that.
“Radium Girls” (2018)
Directed by Lycia Dean Pilcher and Ginny Mohler, the film tells the story of sisters Bessie and Jo (played by Joey King and Abby Quinn), who worked in a New Jersey factory, painting clock faces that glow in the dark.
When Jo falls ill, they discover the truth: the green pigment in the paint was the radioactive element radium. The case forced the creation of new workplace safety protocols and regulations on the handling of radioactive materials.
The film was not released in Brazil and is not available on any streaming platform.
“Creation” (2009)
Paul Bettany — actor known for playing the character Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films — appears in the plot as the tortured Charles Darwin, torn between faith and science.
Directed by Englishman Jon Amiel, the film covers a delicate moment in the life of the naturalist who, far from his wife Emma (Jennifer Connelly), tries to complete his epic “The Origin of Species”.
The film is not available on streaming platforms.
“Radioactive” (2019)
Directed by Iranian Marjane Satrapi, the film portrays one of the greatest personalities in history, mainly for his contributions to science: Polish physicist and chemist Marie Curie.
Interpreted by Rosamund Pike, the plot shows a woman’s difficulties in gaining respect in the scientific world, even though she has discovered one of the most fundamental elements in the history of humanity.
The film is not available on streaming platforms.
“Hidden Figures” (2016)
Directed by Theodore Melfi, the story tells the day-to-day lives of three black mathematicians, Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), who work at NASA and have a key role in launching astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
While solving complicated equations, they have to deal with racial and gender discrimination in the work environment.
The production is available to Disney+ subscribers.
“The Imitation Game” (2014)
Under the direction of Norwegian Morten Tyldum, actor Benedict Cumberbatch gives one of his most memorable performances when he plays English mathematician Alan Turing — the scientist responsible for, together with his colleague Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley) and a team of code breakers, deciphering the German Enigma machine for detecting Nazi targets in World War II.
At the same time as he won the war for the Allies, Turing was forced to deal with his sexuality considered “inadequate” by the government of the time. Today, however, the mathematician’s face appears on the 50-pound banknote.
The film is available streaming on Netflix, Max and Prime Video platforms.
“The Theory of Everything” (2014)
Based on the life of Stephen Hawking, this film shows how the young astrophysicist, played by Eddie Redmayne, reconciled his mind eager for new discoveries, his relationship with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wide (Felicity Jones), and his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. (HER) at 21 years old.
The scientist was given a survival expectation of just three years by doctors, however, he lived another 50 years.
Directed by Englishman James Marsh, the film is available to Disney+ subscribers.
“Oppenheimer” (2023)
One of the most awarded films in history, Oppenheimer is directed by Christopher Nolan and features actors Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy in the cast. The latter plays the protagonist, J. Robert Oppenheimer.
The film tells the theoretical physicist’s role in developing the first atomic bomb, which killed more than 200,000 people.
The production is available on Amazon’s streaming service, Prime Video.
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