6 November 2017
By Mary Bermimgham
mary@TheCork.ie
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecork.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/JC031117-CSF-Matrix-001.jpg?resize=450%2C298&ssl=1)
From a photoshoot to promote the event:Ria O’Sullivan of Cork Science Festival pictured at the Shaky Bridge, Cork as she prepared to enter the world of the Matrix.
Pic Joleen Cronin
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecork.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/JC031117-CSF-Matrix-007.jpg?resize=450%2C300&ssl=1)
Ria O’Sullivan, Cork Science Festival, Emmet O’Brien, filmmaker and Conor Linehan,
Pic Joleen Cronin
Cork Science Festival and Happenings have teamed to present one of the most exhilarating sci-fi / action films of the 90’s –
The Matrix (1998) – on Friday 10 November at 8pm in St Luke’s, Cork City. The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker (Keanu Reeves) who learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers. The event marks the opening of Cork Science Festival, a 10-day programme of public engagement events.
In today’s world we are constantly surrounded by photorealistic, virtual reality simulations with millions of people engaging in these computer generated worlds on a daily basis from entertainment to education. Will we ever live in a world where these will become indistinguishable from reality just like the Matrix? What if everything we see was an illusion and the universe was just a hologram? We are joined by Conor Lenihan, Applied Psychology, UCC and Cork filmmaker Emmett O’Brien for a pre-screening talk to explore the close linkages between the Matrix and real life science.
“We are really excited to open the Cork Science Festival with this thrilling film. We invite you to take the “red-pill” and enter the real world of science which surrounds us. We have events in every corner of Cork to prove it: exhibitions, open days, screenings, workshops, comedy and more” says Mervyn Horgan of Cork Science Festival, which takes place throughout Cork City and County from November 10 – 18.
“Happenings main philosophy is about creating meaningful, fun and cultural events in public and spontaneous spaces around Ireland and so We are very excited to once again partner with such an important and respected festival such as CSFl. We know that Irish people are huge movie lovers and so it’s a thrill to be able to celebrate all things science whilst bringing Corkonians a movie experience like never before” explains Peter O’Brien, Happenings.ie founder.
Tickets are available for €5 (plus booking fee). Doors open at 7.30pm. Movie begins at 8pm. Visit www.happenings.ie for tickets and www.corksciencefestival.ie for more event info.