Science. Art. Film.: The Girl with All the Gifts

Presented by ��College of Science & Medicine

A gripping post-apocalyptic thriller that questions what it means to be human.

The Science. Art. Film. series uncovers the wacky, weird and wonderful facets of science and art in films, with post-screening discussions featuring artists and ��scholars. In collaboration with ��and the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science.

2016 | MA 15+ | 111 mins | D: Colm McCarthy

In post-apocalyptic Britain, a highly contagious fungal outbreak has transformed much of London’s population into flesh-eating “hungries.” Infected while in utero, young Melanie’s intimate journey through horror to self-enlightenment might be the key to human survival.

Colm McCarthy’s adaptation of M.R. Carey’s novel offers a fresh take on the zombie film balancing action with unsettling ethical questions about survival and evolution. Moving at a pace, it deliberately disorientates with immersive cinematography which keeps us close to the action throughout.

Stay for a vibrant and engaging post-screening discussion exploring parasites, fungi, evolution and the surprising ways popular culture turns complex biological concepts into stories that capture the public imagination.

Panellists:

Dr Shao-Jie (Nils) Jhou is a doctoral student at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at the ANU, where he researches the interactions between science and popular media. He received a PhD in Neuroscience and an MA in Inter-Asia Cultural Studies from National Tsing Hua University. Influenced by his award-winning experience in game design and scriptwriting, his work examines how film, television, and video games reinterpret scientific concepts through popular storytelling, thereby shaping public engagement with science. His current project focuses on parasites and parasitism in screen media and their relationship to parasitological discourse.

Dr Ryan P. O’Donnell is a mycologist, botanist and postdoctoral researcher at the Research School of Biology at the Australian National University. Ryan’s research is predominantly focused on the evolution of the Australian orchid flora and its associated mycorrhizal funga. More broadly, Ryan’s research interests span genomics, systematics, taxonomy, and evolutionary ecology, particularly with respect to the evolution of symbiosis. Prior to their scientific work, Ryan’s experience was in the performing, visual, and creative arts, where they enjoyed separate careers as a Conservatorium-trained opera singer and filmmaker.

Moderator:

Dr Anna-Sophie Jürgens is a Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, ANU. She is also the Head of POPSICULE, ANU’s Science in Popular Culture and Entertainment Hub. Dr Jürgens’ research explores cultural meanings of science, the history of (violent) clowns and mad scientists, science and humour, and the interface between science and (public) art. 