The Neuro Film Series
The Neuro Film Series presents The Commitments on Thursday,
November 17, 2011 at 6:30 pm. The Commitments is a
rough-edged comedy about an unlikely vision – the creation of Soul
band by the denizens of white, working class, Catholic Dublin. What
makes this film so memorable is the reality of the
characters. Their backgrounds, earthy language and
hardscrabble lives are contrasted against the absurd escapism of
their musical journey. Soul music was hugely popular in Britain
during the 60s and the film charts the course of a motley crew of
tough young Dubliners who argue constantly while rediscovering Soul
music in the 80’s and growing into a tight Soul band. It is a
feel-good movie without the syrupy predictability of so many
high-budget movies and a lot of fun. [Be warned, this is not a
movie for those of a delicate disposition. There is liberal use of
bad language, that’s the way the street is, and the Irish accents
can be hard to follow in detail. The overall story is easy to
follow; you’ll just miss some of the rapid-fire jokes. ]
Our host for this film, Neuroscientist Alan Evans, grew up in Wales
in a neighborhood not too different from the setting of the film to
this, so there is a strong sense of identity for him with this
background. How does this relate to Neuroscience? Neurophysiology
indicates that laughter is linked with the activation of the
ventromedial prefrontal cortex that produces endorphins. Scientists
have shown that the hippocampus and the amygdala of the limbic
system are involved in laughter. This system is involved in
emotions and helps us with functions necessary for human’s
survival.
Alan Evans, James McGill Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry and
Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, was born in Wales and
did his PhD in biophysics at Leeds University studying 3D protein
folding. He spent 5-years at Atomic Energy of Canada, working on
the physics and analysis of PET images. In 1984, he moved to the
MNI where his research interests include multi-modal brain imaging
methodologies, most recently network modeling of brain
connectivity, and their application in neurodevelopment and
neurodegeneration. Dr. Evans also contributes to a North American
electronic network that links brain mapping laboratories. He and
his colleagues are analyzing data derived from more than 400 brains
to make a neuroanatomy atlas. The imaging techniques developed in
the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre are also being used in
large-scale, multi-centre clinical trials.
Discover Science at the movies on November 17, 6:30 pm at the Neuro
Film Series!
Neuro Movie Nights are free and snacks can be purchased (including
wraps and popcorn)!
All films take place at: The Montreal Neurological Institute and
Hospital, 3801 University Street, Jeanne Timmins amphitheatre.
For more information contact: debbie.rashcovsky [at] mcgill.ca or 514-398-6047 or go to www.neuroevents.mcgill.ca