Throughout the academic year, Science on Screen® creatively pairs screenings of classic, cult, science fiction, and documentary films with lively discussion by notable experts from the world of science technology. This year at Film Streams, we kick off the season with The Truman Show:

He doesn't know it, but everything in Truman Burbank's (Jim Carrey) life is part of a massive TV set. Executive producer Christof (Ed Harris) orchestrates "The Truman Show," a live broadcast of Truman's every move captured by hidden cameras. Cristof tries to control Truman's mind, even removing his true love, Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), from the show and replacing her with Meryl (Laura Linney). As Truman gradually discovers the truth, however, he must decide whether to act on it.

Discussion with the following panelists after the film:

Dr. Guy McHendry is an Associate Professor of Rhetoric in the Department of Communication Studies and the Timms Endowed Professor and Director of the Magis Core Curriculum at Creighton University. His research focuses on surveillance and privacy in contemporary culture, white supremacist rhetoric online, and argumentation theory. Dr. McHendry teaches a variety of courses, including From Big Brother to Big Data: Surveillance Culture, Gender Communication, Rhetoric & Public Culture, and Communication & Community. Related to the Truman Show, he has published essays on reality television, representations of parental surveillance in Black Mirror, and the Transportation Security Administration’s use of social media. Dr. McHendry received his Ph.D. from the Department of Communication at the University of Utah.

Dr. Faith Kurtyka is an associate professor in the English department at Creighton University, where she studies and teaches classes on how emotions help us understand literature. This semester, she is teaching a class on understanding the language of film through the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Science on Screen is an initiative of the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with major support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.