Reeling Back

It’s February 12, and a biologist, an anthropologist and a sociologist walk into a bar. The biologist buys a drink, raises his glass and proposes a toast. ”To Charles Darwin on his day!” The anthropologist responds with “to Extraterrestrial Cultures, on their day!” The sociologist forgoes toasting. He just drinks his beer while muttering “every devotee has his day.” And it's true. Since 1995, fans of the 19th-century evolutionary theorist have officially marked the date of his birth as their day to honour science, reason and critical thinking. In the U.K., biologist Richard Dawkins is scheduled to speak today on “The Hubris of Faith,” part of the annual Darwin Day Lecture series. On the same day, first contact enthusiasts will “celebrate all past, present and future alien visitors in ways to enhance relationships among all citizens of the cosmos, known and unknown.” First observed in New Mexico in 2004 — can you say Roswell? — ET Cultch Day now has a worldwide following. Today, in an effort to connect the two groups, Reeling Back is adding two movie reviews to the archive (with links to each following the Afterword to this posting). In keeping with the optimism of our biologist friend’s toast, the popular culture offers the occasional film that honours those who have expanded our understanding of the natural world. Such was the intent of director Michael Apted with his 1988 biographical feature Gorillas in the Mist: The Adventure of Dian Fossey.