BLAST!, the final installment of this year’s On Screen In Person program, was screened on Monday, April 9 in Wilson Auditorium. On Screen, In Person is a traveling film series along the East Coast that screens films and allows the audience to engage the director in Q&A sessions afterwards.
Used here, BLAST is an acronym that means Balloon-borne Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope. The film focused on a team of scientists that developed the device, showing the emotional strain and all-too-real problems with scientific innovation.
The screening was hosted by Andrew Demirjian, specialist professor of communication. He felt such films, which showcase the science as well as the scientist, are great in general, but was quite impressed by director Paul Devlin. “I think the director did a great job at introducing detail, holding interest and creating tension. As a young filmmaker, it is so important to learn to do that,” said Demirjian. He is excited about showing the film to his documentary film class.
BLAST! focused on Devlin’s astrophysicist brother, Doctor Mark Devlin, who, with a team of graduate students, set out to photograph the formation of new stars and galaxies throughout the universe. While most scientific documentaries would spend the majority of time describing the inspiration and mechanics behind the project, the director wanted a film that showcased the humanity of those involved.
The film starts off with a bang, showing a balloon launching in Antarctica. The viewer doesn’t know much about the money or energy put into the device, but it looks big and expensive (not to mention the fact that the team is in one of the coldest locations on Earth, a situation that could draw sympathy without the massive telescope project). At the last moment, the device gets caught in the launching apparatus, crashing back into place.
The movie moves back 18 months to the test launch in Sweden. The team briefly discusses the sensitivity of the equipment and the need for perfection in the launch conditions. Submillimeter light refers to light rays so miniscule that they would not be able to penetrate our atmosphere, eliminating any chance of seeing the formation of stars. In fact, even dust in the vacuum of space would make it impossible to detect this light, because the rays are too small to pass any molecular barrier. In other words, this light can only exist in a complete vacuum.
The Sweden launch was nearly a disaster because inclement weather delayed deployment. There was a very small window of time during which the telescope would be able to take pictures beyond our galaxy because of migrant dust clouds that would soon obscure their view of the void. Luckily, the launch was successful; hours after the balloon launched, the team realized that the lens was not properly focused, meaning their results were useless.
BLAST! remained intense, showing the growing strain upon the scientists, especially Dr. Devlin, who was forced to spend months at a time away from his family, which consisted of his wife and two young sons. Footage showed events back at Dr. Devlin’s home, adding to the stress as the doctor’s son hangs up on him, fed up with never being able to see his father.
However, family strain was not the only personal topic shown in the movie. Though taboo, religion was also discussed. The religious members of the project held no opposition to the project and never clashed with the n o n – r e l i g i o u s members. Everyone was very respectful of the others’ opinions, if not for the sake of simply being respectful, than out of understanding of their common goal and aesthetic appreciation of outer space.
The music was very appropriate; it was subtle and strong but never overpowered the scientists themselves. It had a natural feeling of mystique, utilizing a variety of lofty notes and soft instruments during the ambient scenes and sharp notes with a heavy overtone during the dramatic moments.
The mood was built entirely by focusing on the relentless passion with which the scientists approached their work. Every pitfall and triumph brought such a ripple of pain or joy to the men and women involved that the audience couldn’t help but empathize. Whether the team was in the midst of a crisis or at a bar, viewers were there with them.
The director was surprisingly pleased by the events of the film. “What happened was naturally dramatic, so that was very helpful,” Devlin joked during the post-movie question and answer session. He added that documentary making could be difficult because “you are confined by what happened.”
For example, he had placed two cameras on the telescope that launched in Antarctica, but those cameras were lost. “They’re still out on the ice somewhere,” said Devlin.
BLAST! is not just for those who like documentary, but also people you are majoring in science and interested in astrophysics. The movies chosen by the On Screen, In Person program are treats for any person of any demographic. Daniel Gordon, a youth who’s father works at the University, agreed. “It taught me more about what astrophysicists do. [This program] is opening up my eyes,” said Gordon.
“I think [this] series is such a great way to learn about so many different aspects of film making… and for our students to be able to ask the director anything they want is just great,” Demirjian commented.
Without a doubt, BLAST! w as a great way to simultaneously expose the audience to new ideas while keeping them entertained. Be on the lookout for next year’s movie series. If it’s anything like this past series, it’ll be sure to blow you away.
IMAGE TAKEN from blasterexperiment.info
