The Host
2018

Philadelphia Film Society Philadelphia, PA

with

Angela Wenger

Executive Vice President and COO, Center for Aquatic Sciences at Adventure Aquarium

The Host— Flushed away: Creating tomorrow’s problems with today’s “solutions”

Marine scientist Angela Wenger weighs in on the effects of pollution on aquatic life.

Philadelphia Film Society Philadelphia, PA

Film Synopsis

After chemicals dumped into Seoul's Han River by careless American military personnel create a ravenous sewer-creature, a hapless vendor bands together with his family to save his daughter from its lair.

From the mind of South Korean master Bong Joon-ho (SNOWPIERCER, OKJA), THE HOST pays homage to classic monster movies of yore while adding its own offbeat sense of humor and a distinctly topical bent. After an American scientist orders 200 bottles of formaldehyde to be dumped into Seoul’s drainage system, city residents begin noticing a strange creature in the murky waters of the Han River. Eventually, this strange, amphibious creature begins attacking the citizenry. When his young daughter is abducted by the monster, comically inept but fiercely determined dad Gang-du (Song Kang-ho) must find the location of its sewer lair and rescue the little girl before it’s too late. Even as it addresses societal ills like pollution, the threat of pandemic, and government corruption, THE HOST remains a devilishly entertaining and wildly inventive thrill ride.

Photo courtesy of PHOTOFEST

About the Speaker

Angela Wenger's professional experience includes 20 years of supporting scientific research, teaching, and family learning in museums. She has been an active member of the Philadelphia-Camden Informal Science Education Collaborative, a longstanding multi-museum and community partnership that has explored family learning and community participation. A particular area of interest lies in facilitating access to science education by underserved audiences.

Mrs. Wenger holds a master's degree in marine science from Florida Institute of Technology and a bachelor's in biology from Rutgers University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership and innovation from Wilmington University.