Disaster Playground

This eye-opening, weirdly entertaining documentary offers a vast overview of the complex network of national and international agencies involved in dealing with asteroids and meteors that are plummeting toward Earth. Quirky filmmaker Nelly Ben Hayoun engages an army of scientists and policymakers at all levels of astro-science and world government to explore the complex process of identifying cosmic threats to our planet. But Hayoun doesn't conduct straightforward interviews; she puts key figures off-guard by having them act out imaginary scenes using ridiculous props, or showing viewers what it might be like to be awakened from slumber by an urgent phone call about a falling body. Hayoun also vigorously asserts herself in the film by playing characters, including a government spokeswoman whose performance is critiqued by officials. Despite the nutty streak, however, Disaster Playground offers a fascinating look at the many elements involved in tracking asteroids, which include mini-observatories planted at high altitudes for the specific purpose of spotting anything headed our way; offices at NASA; and planning groups at the White House and United Nations. And this isn't strictly about science: there's a chilling discussion here concerning the difficult decisions world leaders would face if an asteroid could be deflected to hit a deemed-less-than-vital part of Earth. Highly recommended. (T. Keogh)