Independent Lens - Season 10 - Eps 6: The Atom Smashers
THE ATOM SMASHERS explores what happens when politicians, not scientists, decide which scientific projects will be funded and which will be cut, and depicts the contradictions that arise when the most educated population in the world begins to doubt the place and value of science. Archival film and vintage footage illustrate the history of Fermilab and cultural attitudes towards science in America, with key scientific ideas brought to life through animation. Despite the setbacks, the physicists at Fermilab continue the search. Until Europe’s atom smasher goes online and starts generating the massive amounts of collisions it takes to find such a minute particle, there’s still a chance that they can win the race. As physicist John Conway says, “This work is too important not to be done somewhere.” But will it be done here in the U.S.? Or will he and the rest of the physicists at Fermilab soon be packing their bags for Europe?
About Independent Lens
Title: Independent Lens
First Air Date: 1999-08-09
Last Air Date: 2024-11-11
Status: Returning Series
Rating: 6.833/10 (from 12 votes)
Language: EN
Seasons: 26
Total Episodes: 510
Network: PBS
Genres: Documentary
Production Companies: ITVS
Synopsis
This acclaimed Emmy Award-winning anthology series features documentaries and a limited number of fiction films united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement and unflinching visions of their independent producers and featuring unforgettable stories about a unique individual, community or moment in history.
Cast
Stanley Tucci
