Naturally Obsessed

Naturally Obsessed is a 2009 documentary film that opens a view on the training of scientists and the process of discovery. Shot over three years' time in the molecular biology laboratory of Dr. Lawrence Shapiro of the Columbia University Medical Center, the film chronicles how the tool of X-ray crystallography enables the discovery of the workings of the AMPK protein molecule, revealing a new path towards the treatment of diabetes and obesity.

Naturally Obsessed
Directed byRichard Rifkind
Carole Rifkind
Music byDavid Majzlin
CinematographyBuddy Squires
Edited byRichard Hankin
Lisa Palatella
Release date
  • March 11, 2009 (2009-03-11) (DC Environmental Film Festival)
Running time
60 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film focuses on the human side of doing science. It follows the emotional ups and downs of three graduate students (Robert Townley, Kilpatrick Caroll and Gabrielle Cummberley[1]) guided by their professor and laboratory head along the challenging and uncertain journey to the PhD degree. It highlights qualities that contribute to being a scientist, including persistence, asking the right questions, mastering technology, mentoring and being mentored, collaborating, and facing competition.

Background

The film was produced by the not-for-profit ParnassusWorks, headed by Dr. Richard Rifkind, formerly director of research and Chairman of the Sloan-Kettering Institute in New York City, where he also was responsible for graduate student education. Long concerned with public understanding of science, upon his retirement from SKI, Rifkind turned to filmmaking in order to illuminate, for a general public, what research is all about—how new scientists are trained, the critical role that students play in the process of discovery, and the drama of research that he, himself, experienced during his 50 years as a bench scientist.

Critical reception

Reviewers in the popular and science press have highlighted the veracity of the film:

Ann Hornday, The Washington Post:

"Naturally Obsessed," a funny, lively, thoroughly absorbing documentary ... moves viewers with ease and intimacy through a world too often portrayed as boring, nerdy and filled with indecipherable jargon."[2]

Karen A. Frenkel, TALKING SCIENCE:

"Much of the film is concerned not so much with the specifics of research, but with what sacrifices people are willing to make for the sake of discovery. This is as it should be; the public needs to better understand what goes on in the minds of those working in Ivory Towers."[3]

Emily D. Slutsky and Lauren E. Wool, BioTechniques:

"'Naturally Obsessed' makes it clear that there is no way to make science easy: as a whole, it is nothing less than an ongoing lesson in dedication and persistence." [4]

Christopher Mims, POP-SCI.COM:

"'Naturally Obsessed: The Making of a Scientist' is the best film ever to depict what goes on inside a real science lab -- period.[5]

Production

The production team also includes:

Screenings and Festivals

In 2009, Naturally Obsessed was screened at universities, research institutes, high schools, cultural organizations, government agencies, and corporations nationwide. The film was also screened at the following film festivals:

References
  1. “Film Review: ‘Naturally Obsessed: the Making of a Scientist’,” Talking Science, March 5, 2009.
  2. The Washington Post, March 11, 2009. “’Naturally Obsessed’ Puts Lab Life Under an Utterly Engaging Light.”
  3. TALKING SCIENCE, March 5, 2009 “Film Review: ‘Naturally Obsessed: the Making of a Scientist’”
  4. BIOTECHNIQUES - March 26, 2009 “Diffracting science’s stereotypes with ‘Naturally Obsessed’”
  5. POP-SCI.COM - March 30, 2009 “’The Most Beautiful Moment in Science’ captured on film”
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