Let There Be Light

Let There Be Light, a 2017 documentary directed by Mila Aung-Thwin and Van Royko, offers an electrifying look into the realm of nuclear fusion as the potential solution to the global energy crisis. This Canadian film features renowned figures such as Mark Henderson, Jeffrey Harris, and Michel Laberge, who actively take part in groundbreaking research in the field.

The documentary unravels the intricate world of science by taking a close-up shot into the passionate endeavors of these modern-day pioneers, racing against time to unlock one of the universe's most cryptic technologies. Many consider nuclear fusion, the driving force behind the sun's radiant energy, as a potential panacea to the world's impending energy crisis. The challenge, however, lies in replicating this process on Earth. This film serves as a window onto the colossal quest for clean, limitless energy through nuclear fusion.

Mark Henderson of General Atomics represents the multi-billion-dollar international project, ITER, aimed at demonstrating fusion on a commercial scale. ITER, based in southern France, is a collaboration between over 35 countries that endeavor to create a tiny star that could power the planet. Henderson uses his experience and expertise to elucidate the intricacy of this mammoth machine.

On the other hand, Michel Laberge, a playful physicist turned entrepreneur, took a different approach. He founded a company, General Fusion, in Burnaby, British Columbia, with a view to building a smaller, more economical fusion device. Laberge offers a view into the world of privately funded companies that have adopted a more economical and speedy approach to harness fusion energy in the face of public skepticism and undulating funding.

Let There Be Light is not a textbook science lesson, but a colonial narrative of human aspiration, determination, and cognitive prowess, attempting to tame and wield the power of a star. The film tactfully segues between the world of big science and garage innovators, embodying the extraordinary endeavors of humans willing to defy the odds, despite it often resembling a mission impossible. Amid the staggering complexity of science and machinery, the documentary sustains an undercurrent of accessibility. The personal narratives of these scientists, their ambitions, challenges, triumphs, and dilemmas, make it a captivating experience even for non-science enthusiasts.

One of the outstanding attributes of the film is its perspective on the intersection of science and society. Addressing the causes and consequences of our energy consumption, Let There Be Light forces us to reconsider our association with energy, inviting us to view the intense endeavors of these physicists not as detached scientific exploits, but as our collective effort toward survival.

The audience is even more intrigued by the technological marvels, the complexities of the machinery – especially the Tokamak, an invention of Russian scientists in the 1950s that is crucial for achieving nuclear fusion. The film is successful in sparking a fascination, so much so that the gigantic scale of the machinery and the enormity of the projects begin to look not overbearing but tantalizing.

Let There Be Light draws its curiosity from the global energy crisis and progressively draws the viewers into the world of fusion, deftly illuminating the hope, adventures, foibles, and unwavering perseverance that characterize the epoch-defining quest. The documentary beautifully balances detail and depth, making viewers appreciate the intricate landscape of nuclear science without overwhelming them. It humanizes the scientific struggle, capturing the human dimension of this epochal endeavor in such a way that the audience can relate to it.

Through its galvanizing exploration of the science of nuclear fusion and humanity's persistent pursuit of sustainable energy, this inspiring film communicates a powerful and relevant message. Let There Be Light poses serious questions about our future, our planet, and our responsibility towards them while simultaneously radiating a warm optimism that illuminates the resilient spirit of human endeavor. It is an engrossing journey into the core of innovation, ambition, and revival, a beacon of light that leaves us with more hope than despair, more fascination than fear. It celebrates science as not just a creative exploration of reality but as a vehicle of collective vitality and survival.