DARK MATTER
U.S.A., 2007, 90 Minutes, color

Director:
Chen Shi-Zheng


Screenwriter:
Billy Shebar

 

 
 
Liu Xing (Liu Ye), a humble, but brilliant, Chinese student, arrives at Valley State University and makes a bumpy transition into American life with the help of Joanna Silver (Meryl Streep), a wealthy university patron who takes a liking to the young student. Liu joins a select cosmology group under the direction of his hero, the famous cosmologist Jacob Reiser (Aidan Quinn). The group is working to create a model of the origins of the universe, based on Reiser's theory. Liu's enormous talent leads him quickly to become Reiser's protégé, and it seems that only hard work stands between him and a bright future in American science. But Liu is obsessed with the study of dark matter, an unseen substance that he believes shapes the universe and a theory that conflicts with the Reiser model. When Liu begins to make scientific breakthroughs of his own, he starts to encounter unexpected obstacles.

Liu Ye turns in a powerful performance as a passionate young scientist whose rising star must confront the dark forces of politics, ego, and cultural insensitivity. Inspired by a true event, Dark Matter, Chen Shi-Zheng's impressive first feature, is a rare and fascinating window into the story of science as it often plays out in real life.— Shari Frilot


Screenwriter : Billy Shebar
Executive Producers : Kirk D'Amico, Linda Chiu
Producers : Janet Yang, Mary Salter, Andrea Miller
Cast : Liu Ye, Aidan Quinn, Meryl Streep, Blair Brown, Bill Irwin
 

Screening Times
Tuesday , Jan 23 8:30 PM Prospector Square Theatre DARKM23PN
Thursday , Jan 25 11:30 AM Library Center Theatre DARKM25LD
Saturday , Jan 27 10:30 PM Broadway Centre Cinemas VI, SLC DARKM27BN
Saturday , Jan 27 11:30 AM Prospector Square Theatre DARKM27PD
Sunday , Jan 28 1:00 PM Screening Room, Sundance Village DARKM28SD
 

Director(s) Bios
Chen Shi-Zheng
Chen Shi-Zheng was born in China and is currently based in New York City. A former opera star in his home country and a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, Chen has directed opera classics from Monteverdi to Mozart to Wagner at major festivals and opera houses throughout Europe and the U.S. Chen's landmark, 20-hour The Peony Pavilion premiered at the Lincoln Center Festival in 1999. He is currently working on a circus opera with music by Gorillaz. Dark Matter is his first feature film.

Film Contact

Janet Yang
American Sterling Productions
2525 Main Street #210
Santa Monica, CA  90405
United States
310.399.8200
jyang@asproductions.com