In a world fascinated by particle accelerators, one movie is being sponsored by TRIUMF at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF). The Atom Smashers, a documentary about Fermilab’s Tevatron, will make its Canadian debut as part of VIFF on Saturday, October 4, at 6:00 p.m. at the Empire Granville. Two other screenings will follow later in the week, on Sunday, October 5, at 10:45 a.m. and Wednesday, October 8, at 1:30 p.m. at the Pacific Cinémathéque.
According to Andrew Suprenant, the movie “chronicles fifteen tense months at Fermilab as it scours the subatomic world for the Higgs,” racing against the completion of the LHC with the future of the Tevatron at stake. It also explores the lives of the scientists participating in the experiment, such as Leon Lederman, Ben Kilminster, John Conway, and Robin Erbacher. The Atom Smashers is directed by Clayton Brown and Monica Long Ross and produced by Andrew Suprenant.
The Atom Smashers documentary is one of over 350 films from 60 countries that will be shown at the 27th VIFF to 150,000 viewers between September 25 and October 10. The festival was founded in 1982 with the intention of furthering the understanding of other countries, and TRIUMF is helping to support this movie as it brings the experience of particle physics to a broader audience.
"Our supporters are integral to the success of the festival," says Betty Verkuil, director of development and communications at VIFF. “Their contributions make it possible for us to bring the best in world cinema, including the best in Canadian cinema, to Vancouver.”
TRIUMF is pleased with the opportunity to sponsor this film and help VIFF encourage an interest in physics with the public.
By Kaitlan Huckabone
TRIUMF's Communications Assistant