"The Real Beginning" (Grand Bang) (Act 1 of 2)

"The Real Beginning" (Grand Bang) (Act 1 of 2)

The Big Bang Theory vs. Creationism: Conflict or Not?

Filmed in Paris, France and East Lansing Michigan USA (primarily in english language with some subtitles/dubbing).

Karin Lewandowski -Director
Brittany Janer -MoOF Director/Cinematographer
Lauren Gamble -Cinematographer
Laura Maurer -Tech Guru
Year: 2007

In 2007 a group of twenty undergraduates from the Lyman Briggs residential College of Science at Michigan State University participated in a new summer Study Abroad Program in Paris on language, art and science (http://www.msu.edu/~luckie/paris/ ). In addition to having opportunities to study language at the Sorbonne, and compare the "science of art" to "the art of science," they participated in a senior thesis project where documentary film groups chose to investigate topics that compared contemporary issues, in science and health, in France.

This student-made documentary film examines the controversy of the big bang versus biblical creationism. The student group heard of rumors that a particle accelerator is housed in the basement of the Louvre and while they thought it was a longshot they investigated this and found it to be true! As students from a US university with a well-known cyclotron and midwestern conservative religious culture, they explored how european scientists and citizens may view the origin of life/universe. The students on the film team thought that because of the many churches in paris they might find religious citizens and thus were interested if french citizens or scientists may have a different "take" on the big bang than those at home.

The filmmakers state: "The concept of the birth of the universe has captured many an imagination throughout history. How did it all begin?  The question remains the same since the beginning of time. This documentary team explores the Big Bang Theory, how it relates to the theological explanation of the creation of the universe, and what this comparison implies. Experts and laypeople alike were consulted on the topic, which broadened the scope of the film. There is also a cultural element incorporated into the documentary, as it was filmed in both Paris, France and East Lansing, Michigan."

This film was created as part of a senior thesis research project in a course at Michigan State University. Learn more here: http://www.msu.edu/course/lbs/492/luckie

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Lyman
• Briggs
• LBS
• LBC
• MSU
• Study
• Abroad
• 492
• senior
• seminar
• luckie
• paris
• documentary