Science and Art, Father and Son, Academy Award and Nobel Prize...

By: 

Molly Livingstone

Molly Livingstone never did well at science, but that hasn’t stopped her from appreciating it. Here at the Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC) she is able to witness first-hand, the innovative breakthroughs changing the face of medicine, on a daily basis. Living in Israel, Molly has the opportunity of visiting the IMRIC labs, talking with the students and faculty about their latest research, and getting to know the people behind these great minds.

It is a general notion that the left side of the brain is more science based and the right side more creative. However, in real life I believe these sides are not divided equally and that sometimes the paths cross.

There is after all a science to art. And one could argue that science is an art form. For me there is no better illustration of these two worlds colliding then Institute of Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC) Professor Howard Cedar and his son Film Director Joseph Cedar.

Both father and son have become household names in their respective fields. Prof. Cedar is a scientist and known to many as the "father of methylation," which has led to the field of epigenetics. Joseph Cedar first came on the world's radar for his film "Beaufort" which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He will be back on the red carpet again this year for a second nomination for his film "Footnote". The film is a dramedy that examines the relationship between father and son, both of whom are competing researchers of Talmud at an Israeli university.  

This is science and art. Father and son excelling in their respective fields—I am referring to the Cedars not the father and son in the film. So yes, I know it is a bit off topic, but I wanted to share behind the scenes footage of Prof. Cedar that I filmed after his son's film's success at the Cannes Festival where he won best screenplay. The film was just making its way into movie theaters, but I being a native Los Angelina was already asking about the Oscar excitement.

Well we are finally here, and Footnote's nomination is once again exciting for Israel. After all the country has never won an Academy Award. But what could be even more exciting than young Cedar taking home Hollywood Gold? I think winning an Oscar and a Nobel Prize in the same year. It could happen, and if it does I want the rights to the film version of this story!

Watch this short clip to learn about the film, the father-son relationship, and art and science.