The Believers Twenty years ago they said they could save the world. Some people still believe them. The Believers begins in March of 1989, when two respected chemists from the University of Utah stand in front of a wall of reporters; flashbulbs pop as the pair --- one shy, the other cracking jokes--- announce a startling claim: they have solved the world’s energy problems using seawater, batteries, and the mysterious glass contraption they hold proudly in their hands. “Cold Fusion” is born. Within days, Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann are on the cover of Time Magazine. But in three short months, their careers are in tatters, their reputations ruined, and Cold Fusion is synonymous with "bad science." Twenty-two years later, despite mainstream science's continued disdain, professional and amateur scientists, a high school whiz kid, and a Hollywood-based internet DJ are confident that Cold Fusion can still save the world, and that we are closer than ever to the Holy Grail of civilization. They're the Believers. ﷯ ﷯
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"Affecting on a human level ... fascinating for its glimpses of academic knife-fighting and utopian zeal." -- J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader "A remarkable film documenting the Greek tragedy that is the Cold Fusion story." -- Adam Frank, About Time "Chicagoans Clayton Brown and Monica Long Ross once again prove up to the challenge of 'storifying' science with The Believers." -- Alison Cuddy, WBEZ "... tightly constructed cinematic argument with strong characters." -- CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL "Energetic ... entertaining ... effective and bittersweet ... smartly cut together." -- Lisa Nesselson, SCREEN DAILY "As thought-provoking a documentary as they come." -- Don Schwartz, CINESOURCE MAGAZINE "...fascinating and provocative" CINEQUEST
Screenings

Minneapolis St. Paul Int. FIlm Festival

St. Anthony Main Theatre

Friday, April 12 • 4:30pm

Monday, April 15 • 5:05pm

 

The Tech Museum

The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater

201 S. Market Street

San Jose, CA

Saturday, April 13 • 5pm

 

Block Cinema

Northwestern University

Wednesday, May 15 • 7:00pm - free

(directors present for Q&A)

 

Frequency Film Festival

San Diego, CA

(Date and time TBA)

 

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

Fermilab Arts & Lecture Series

Batavia, Illinois

Friday, March 15 8:00pm

(directors present for panel discussion

with Fermilab physicists Heidi Schellmann and Eric Prebys)

 

Cinequest International Film Festival

San Jose California

Friday, March 1 8:45 pm

(directors present for Q&A)

Sunday, March 3 1:45 pm

(directors present for Q&A)

Thursday, March 11 11:45 am

 

Studio City Film Festival

13752 Ventura Blvd., Los Angeles

Thursday, Feb 7 5:00pm

 

Indiana University, Bloomington

1213 E. 7th St., Bloomington, IN

Monday, January 28, 7:00 pm

(directors present for Q&A)

 

DocMiami International Film Festival

December 7, 2012 - 12:10 pm

Auditorium 2, Nova Southeastern University

1750 N.E. 167th St North Miami Beach, FL

 

Chicago International Film Festival

AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois

"Best of the Fest" repeat screening

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 (time TBA)

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