We have to find a new definition of progress or new goals of humanity at least to survive because our existence on this planet is challenged because of ecological catastrophe we are provoking and because of the weapons that we have created. And these weapons may be the tools of self- destruction, said acclaimed veteran Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Zanussi.
Speaking about the progress and constant changes in its definition, the director said what was meant by progress 20 years ago is not progress anymore. It was on this note that curtains came down on this year’s International Film Festival of India in Goa where Zanussi’s film “Perfect Number” had its world premiere.
Zanussi observed “human being is self-destructive unlike other animals. So, this is something that bothers me a lot. And probably this is what I tried to put in the film. My concern about the future of the world, about what to do to be sure that humanity will grow.”
“The Perfect Number” is about a young mathematician who meets his long- lost wealthy cousin and this meeting changes their lives in various ways. The film looks for philosophical answers in the mathematical theories of quantum physics and calculus to push the limits of physics where science meets transcendence.
Talking to the media in Goa about the inspiration behind making “The Perfect Number”, Zanussi said “it is inspired by a real person. There is a mathematician in St Petersburg, Russian-Jewish, who got an award of one million dollars. He sends back the cheque, saying it is distracting and he doesn't want to be distracted.”
“So, I think, it is quite remarkable nowadays that after centuries of running after money, may be now, humanity is getting mature, to understand that possessing money is not essential and we have other problems which are probably more important and interesting.”, he said.
Responding to a question over the contradiction between faith and science, which is the main theme of “Perfect Number”, Zanussi said “this question is open. We will never know, for sure until we die, if there is something after science or not. I hope there is. That's on the hope that is faith.”
