A film about space, time & the elusive pursuit of gravitational waves.
Physicists, artists, and other creatives explore the emotional side of discovery in The Faraway Nearby, a documentary about the tragic life of physicist Joseph Weber, whose pursuit of gravitational waves takes him on a dizzying journey from the height of acclaim to the depths of despair when he breaks the cardinal rule of science.
Synopsis:
At the intersection of art and science, The Faraway Nearby illustrates Joe Weber’s struggle to be the first to ‘hear’ gravitational waves in space, a passion that consumed him until his death. It is a story of self sacrifice and the pioneering spirit, featuring interviews with Nobel Laureates Kip Thorne and Rai Weiss, astrophysicists Nergis Mavalvala and Rana Adhikari, psychologist Steven Pinker, and many others. Weber was a brilliant but misunderstood thinker who took astronomy to new heights through determination and creativity. Featuring artists Silas Riener and Lia Halloran, the film explores the relationship between diligent creative practice and the resilience necessary for scientific discovery, and how both help us understand our place in the universe. Directed by Paula Froehle, director, educator and co-founder of the Chicago Media Project,The Faraway Nearby is an unexpected cinematic journey into the power of obsession and the human need to explore beyond our perceptions.
Joe’s battle led to ostracization from the scientific community he desperately wanted approval from, yet his laid the groundwork for the creation of LIGO, the gravity wave detector honored with the Nobel Prize in 2017.
Directed by Paula Froehle, acclaimed director, educator and co-founder of the Chicago Media Project,The Faraway Nearby is an unexpected cinematic journey into the power of obsession and the human need to explore beyond our perceptions. Co-written with acclaimed physicist/novelist Alan Lightman, produced by Steve Cohen, executive producer of Oscar-winning Icarus, Allen v Farrow, and Apollo, producer Hussain Currimbhoy, who has over two decades in the film industry, including work as lead programmer at Sundance Film Festival and Sheffield Doc/Fest, and directing science-themed documentaries for the Breakthrough Prize. Creative Producer David Teague, Editor Sam Rong, (HotDocs premiere Faceless) also a Chicago native, is lead editor and Resolution Digital Studios brings the creative partnership a cutting edge energy, allowing gaming technology and virtual production techniques to be realized.