The Fountain

The Fountain

Sloan Foundation Film

Release Date

2006

Director

  • Darren Aronofsky

Cast

  • Hugh Jackman
  • Rachel Weisz
  • Sean Patrick Thomas

Awards

  • Hamptons International Film Festival, 2006

As a modern-day scientist, Tommy is struggling with mortality, desperately searching for the medical breakthrough that will save the life of his cancer-stricken wife, Izzi.

A man (Hugh Jackman) travels through time on a quest for immortality and to save the woman he loves (Rachel Weisz). As a 16th-century conquistador, Tomas searches for the legendary Fountain of Youth. As a present-day scientist, he desperately struggles to cure the cancer that is killing his wife. Finally, as a 26th-century astronaut in deep space, Tom begins to grasp the mysteries of life, love, and death. Moving between representational stories and images, The Fountain finds director Darren Aronofsky almost completely abandoning conventional story structure to create a cinematically abstract sci-fi tale.

Possible Topics

  • The potential and limits of modern scientific and technological efforts to unlock the secrets of immortality
  • A look at some of the latest advances in cancer research
  • The future of deep-space travel

Past Programs

2014

Longevity and the Fountain of Youth

The Little Theatre, Rochester, NY

2015

The Science of Longevity

Media Arts Center San Diego, San Diego, CA

2022

Breakthroughs and limitations of longevity

Art House Cinema, Billings, MT

2023

The past, present, and future of cancer treatments

Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA