Mar 22
Gene Siskel Film Center Chicago, IL
TicketsDr. Michael Burns
Associate Professor of Biology and Bioinformatics at Loyola University Chicago
andJoe Vukov
Associate Professor of Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago; Associate Director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage
The Fountain— Science and spirituality
Program Description
In Darren Aronofsky’s divisive epic, a man (Hugh Jackman) travels through time to save the woman he loves (Rachel Weisz). We’ll untangle THE FOUNTAIN with a conversation following the film, led by Dr. Michael Burns, cancer molecular geneticist, bioinformatician, metagenomics expert, educator, and science communicator at the Burns Lab; and Dr. Joe Vukov, associate professor of Philosophy and the associate director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University Chicago. Together, Vukov and Burns founded Loyola University Chicago’s Science and Religion Discussion Group among other interdisciplinary and interfaith efforts, and will connect their studies with the film, exploring how what we believe shapes our understanding of death and dying.
Film Synopsis
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.
About the Speaker
Dr. Michael Burns is an Associate Professor of Biology and Bioinformatics at Loyola University Chicago. His research focuses on host-microbe interactions in the human disease, with applications to cancer biology and environmental influences on health. Dr. Burns has published widely on topics ranging from cancer mutagenesis to social and metagenomic dynamics in primates and the philosophical intersection of science, technology, and being human. In addition to his research, he works closely with faculty from other disciplines and faith traditions to design and co-teach courses and engages in robust interdisciplinary and interfaith science communication work.
Joe Vukov is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and the Associate Director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University Chicago. His research explores questions at the intersection of ethics, technology, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind, and at the intersection of science and religion. He is the author of several books, including, most recently, Staying Human in an Era of Artificial Intelligence (New City Press 2024).