Professor Brian Cox, the world-renowned physicist and multiple award-winning broadcaster, is to speak at IBC2014. Cox will take part in the IBC Conference keynote session “Television’s Expanding Universe” on Sunday, September 14.
Professor of particle physics, explorer and rock star, Cox is recognized throughout the world for his stunning hit TV series discovering and explaining the wonders of life and the universe. Originally inspired to become a physicist by the landmark TV series Cosmos, today Cox is motivating a new generation of inquiring minds through the multiplatform world of television, social media and the internet.
“I’m very much looking forward to speaking at IBC2014. Television programmes like Carl Sagan’s Cosmos and James Burke’s Connections had a great influence on me when I was younger, and it’s my view that television is still the most powerful and direct way of inspiring new generations of viewers. Integrating television with social media and the internet enhances that potential. But of course power comes with responsibility, and whilst we celebrate our continuing success, we must also take our responsibility to educate, inform and influence seriously. Can we still strive to be Reithian in today’s multi-platform, multi-channel world? We’d better try if we want to remain relevant, influential, and successful.”
A brilliant thinker, charismatic communicator and musician, Cox will give a keynote address in which he will explain how his unique storytelling style evolved and consider the impact of television’s expansion since Cosmos first aired in 1980. Credited with making science engaging and accessible to millions, Cox will also be giving his thoughts on the physics of television and its future evolution.
The IBC Conference is recognized as a world-leading forum for debate and knowledge exchange, uniting a mix of visionary keynotes, panel discussions and master classes with the most influential thought leaders, opinion formers and cutting edge organizations shaping the industry’s future. Keynote speakers, selected for their authority, relevance and strong opinions, offer a wealth of experience and challenging perspectives as they discuss the influences and factors driving the industry agenda.
Jennifer Kent On Why Her Feature Directing Debut, “The Babadook,” Continues To Haunt Us
"The Babadook," when it was released 10 years ago, didn't seem to portend a cultural sensation.
It was the first film by a little-known Australian filmmaker, Jennifer Kent. It had that strange name. On opening weekend, it played in two theaters.
But with time, the long shadows of "The Babadook" continued to envelop moviegoers. Its rerelease this weekend in theaters, a decade later, is less of a reminder of a sleeper 2014 indie hit than it is a chance to revisit a horror milestone that continues to cast a dark spell.
Not many small-budget, first-feature films can be fairly said to have shifted cinema but Kent's directorial debut may be one of them. It was at the nexus of that much-debated term "elevated horror." But regardless of that label, it helped kicked off a wave of challenging, filmmaker-driven genre movies like "It Follows," "Get Out" and "Hereditary."
Kent, 55, has watched all of this — and those many "Babadook" memes — unfold over the years with a mix of elation and confusion. Her film was inspired in part by the death of her father, and its horror elements likewise arise out of the suppression of emotions. A single mother (Essie Davis) is struggling with raising her young son (Noah Wiseman) years after the tragic death of her husband. A figure from a pop-up children's book begins to appear. As things grow more intense, his name is drawn out in three chilling syllables — "Bah-Bah-Doooook" — an incantation of unprocessed grief.
Kent recently spoke from her native Australia to reflect on the origins and continuing life of "The Babadook."
Q: Given that you didn't set out to in any way "change" horror, how have you regarded the unique afterlife of "The... Read More