Ammonite

To what extent does film capture the true nature of science? Sometimes it mirrors reality with striking precision, while other times it takes bold imaginative leaps. This dynamic tension between realism and imagination not only shapes public perceptions of science, but also inspires critical conversations about ethics, technological innovation, and the broader impact of scientific progress. In celebration of the upcoming 225 years anniversary of the Royal Natural Sciences Society of Groningen, we are organizing a special film series for those with a passion for cinema and a love for science. Each screening will be introduced by a scientist who will place the film in context of real-world science.

Ammonite (2023)

In Victorian England, bound by strict social expectations and conservative beliefs, Mary Anning collects fossils and sells them to tourists along the rugged coast of Southern Britain. As a passionate fossil collector, she contributes to modern palaeontology by providing evidence for prehistoric extinctions, despite being excluded from the male-dominated scientific community. When Charlotte Murchison, a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, comes to stay with Mary temporarily and an unexpected bond develops between the two women.

Introduction by archaeologist Canan Çakırlar

How did Mary Anning manage to accomplish groundbreaking work despite limited resources and formal education? Archaeologist Canan Çakırlar will introduce the film and place Anning’s work in historical and scientific context: how did fossil collecting lead to Darwin’s theories on evolution and revolutionize scientific thinking? How were women’s contributions to 19th century palaeontology and archaeology recognized in the scientific community? How do we recognize them today? Çakırlar studies the fossil record of the Anthropocene to understand the impact of humans on earth’s biodiversity since the birth of agriculture.
 

The talk will be in English, and the film will have Dutch subtitles.