Science on Screen: Robot & Frank
Play Trailer

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, in collaboration with the Bakken Museum, is pleased to present Science on Screen, a new series of sci-fi film with real science lectures. The series is made possible through a grant by the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Monday, March 31, 2014
5:00pm Reception & Presentation at Aster Cafe
7:00pm Screening at St. Anthony Main Theatre

On March 31, the Coolidge and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will present a national evening of Science on Screen as part of our Science on Screen grant initiative. Seventeen independent cinemas in cities across the country will take part in this first-of-its-kind event, which will feature a short introductory video, followed by a film and speaker presentation at each venue. While each program will be unique, they all have the same aim: to engage people in science using film as the foundation.

The Film: Robot & Frank
Set in the near future, Frank, a retired cat burglar, has two grown kids who 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.

The Speaker: Maria Gini -- Morse-Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Computer Science at University of Minnesota.  More information on her work can be found here.

The Topic: Robots: a new type of companion. Facts and Fiction.

Special guest appearance by Aibo the robot dog!