Presented with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, this one-time showing of Steven Soderbergh’s CONTAGION was followed by a discussion with Dr. Ali S. Khan, Dean of the UNMC College of Public Health, who consulted on the film. Watch the full discussion!

A global thriller from director Steven Soderbergh, CONTAGION follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart. The all-star cast includes Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard, Jude Law, and Laurence Fishburne.

Dr. Ali S. Khan’s professional career has focused on emerging infectious diseases, bioterrorism, and global health security. He was asked to consult on the technical accuracy of CONTAGION, providing insights for the role of an infectious disease scientist, portrayed by Winslet. Dr. Khan is the former Director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHPR) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in 2010 he helped make headlines as the author of the satiric CDC guidelines on the zombie apocalypse.

Science on Screen is an innovative series that creatively pairs classic, cult, and documentary films with lively talks led by notable figures from the world of science, technology, and medicine. The series is made possible through a grant by the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and will fall under Film Streams’ ongoing Community Development program. The March 22 screening of CONTAGION coincides with a National Night of Science on Screen, when each theater participating in the series will host an event.