Shaun of the Dead

Science on Screen® creatively pairs classic, cult, and documentary films with notables from the worlds of science, technology, and medicine. Each film is used as a jumping off point for a speaker to talk about interesting and relevant scientific research or technological advances, providing the perfect combination of entertainment and enlightenment! It’s where the movies and science collide! Rated: R Comedy, Horror It’s often said that the true character of a man is only revealed in times of dire crisis, and for likable, lovelorn loser Shaun (Simon Pegg), that moment of reckoning came when the dead rose from their slumber to feast on the flesh of the living. A hapless electronics store employee who spends most of his spare time downing pints at the local pub with his roommate, Ed (Nick Frost), Shaun’s life seems to fall apart when he is dumped by his girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield), and his obnoxious stepfather, Philip (Bill Nighy), shows up to berate him for not being more attentive to his caring mother Barbara (Penelope Wilton)—especially since he forgot to send flowers for her birthday. Things take a turn for the worse when the dead return to stake their claim on the Earth, and though the chaos that follows threatens to swallow up all of England, it’s up to Shaun to keep his cool and prove himself once and for all by successfully rescuing Liz and his mother. With his trusty roommate by his side, nothing—not even the living dead—can stand between Shaun and the two most important women in his life. Joining us for this event is Vijay Sivaraman, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Arts and Science, North Carolina Central University.  He will give a short lecture and moderate a discussion/Q&A on the topic “Is there a scientific basis for the zombie phenomenon?” Will call tickets may be picked up at The Cary Box Office beginning one hour prior to the movie.