The World of the Very Small

Quantum physics is a branch of science that deals with the smallest objects that form the entirety of the known world, i.e. elementary particles. This type of science is difficult to grasp for laypeople because its fundamental principles are largely abstract and almost impossible to accurately conceptualise. Yet today quantum physics has come to the awareness of ordinary people mostly thanks to the popular American sitcom The Big Bang Theory and its protagonists. The British film The World of the Very Small also focuses on scientists who have chosen this branch of science as their academic as well as life mission. The reasons for their choices vary, including competitiveness, the desire to understand how the world works or the effort of embarking on something more difficult and inspiring than mechanical engineering. In the film, director Peter Akar draws a parallel between quantum physics and art in terms of the questions that both fields of study wish to answer. He also finds connections in the types of creative methods employed in solving these key issues. (Academia Film Olomouc)