PART OF THE SCIENCE ON SCREEN FILM SERIES - WITH GUEST SPEAKER - FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21 @ 7:00p -- Screening preceded by a presentation from DR. DAVID Z. SALTZ, Head, Department of Theatre & Film Studies at UGA and Executive Director, Ideas for Creative Exploration (ICE), who will introduce attendees to ZEEB ZOB, a robot that demonstrates knowledge of Commedia dell'Arte; and followed by a dessert reception in the CinéLab, in which attendees are invited to meet both Dr. Saltz and Zeeb Zob.
The recipient of the annual Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Prize in Science and Technology or a Sloan Screenplay Development grant, ROBOT & FRANK is the feature debut by director Jake Schrier and screenwriter C.D. Ford. Set in the near future, Frank, an aging dad and a retired jewel thief, is losing his memory. His two grown kids are concerned he can no longer live alone. They are tempted to place him in a nursing home until Frank's son chooses a different option: against the old man's wishes, he buys Frank a walking, talking humanoid robot programmed to improve his physical and mental health. What follows is an often hilarious and somewhat heartbreaking story about finding friends and family in the most unexpected places. This futuristic buddy caper about memory and identity, family and friendship features an award winning cast including Frank Langella, James Marsden, Liv Tyler and Susan Sarandon.
