The Icarus Films January 16, 2018 release of the 2013 documentary "CERN" provides those of us who do not know a proton from a neutron a chance to learn more about physics from the literally best and brightest in the field. An even cooler aspect of the film is that we get an extensive look at the ginormous Large Haldron Collider that the titular research organization operates on both sides of the French-Swiss border.
This film by director-writer Nikolaus Geryhalter begins with Blu-ray worthy images of this enormous facility; we see tons of fascinating equipment that most of us do not recognize in tunnels that seemingly go on forever. Similar footage throughout the film provides the same sense.
Geryhalter intersperses these looks at this massive machine and the infrastructure that keeps it literally humming with interviews with the physicists and other professionals at the facility. The scientists discuss using the collider to do related cool things that include the primary purpose of better understanding our universe, recreating the aforementioned totality of existence in the period just after it all starts with a big bang, and creating black holes.
"CERN" also discusses basics that include how the collider works, the enormous amount of power required to operate it, and allocating use of the machine among the four research projects at the facility. The only disappointment is no mention of pulling pranks with the gigantic magnet that is a crucial component of the star of the documentary.
The "Star Trek" vibe of the film continues with the spirit of international unity that is just as important as keeping the collider from running amok. The nature of the collaboration is apparent from the first interview in which a physicist explains that scientists from many countries work at the facility and speak the common langauge that she describes as "broken English." Her presentation and those of everyone else shows that she does not give them proper credit; each talking head speaks the mother tongue of Des Moines very well.
We also hear from a scientist whose husband works in a different area of the faciilty and whose daughter attends a nearby kindergarten. This woman additionally has a step-son and a brother-in-law who are on the payroll.
The elements described above make "CERN" a perfect film for our times. It both shows what international cooperation can accomplish and provides hope that the fruits of the experiments will improve the world.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "CERN" is ecncouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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