Mutant Enzyme Breaks Down Plastic in Hours New research published by French scientists in the journal Nature addresses their discovery and manipulation of a mutant bacterial enzyme that can break down PET plastic into raw materials in a matter of hours. After optimization experiments, Carbios (the organization behind the discovery) broke down one metric ton of waste by 90% in 10 hours. Their scientists then used …
Beloved Belgian-born filmmaker and artist Agnès Varda’s previously unseen short film The Little Story of Gwen From French Brittany is streaming on YouTube (for free) thanks to American Cinematheque. Varda—who passed away last year—began shooting the film in 1996 when she met the subject, Gwen Deglise. The two became fast friends and Varda’s film traces Deglise’s move from Paris to LA, and their unique relationship. …
Farewell to Pioneering Filmmaker, Agnès Varda Boundary-breaking French filmmaker Agnès Varda passed away. Radical, feminist, experimental and spirited, her films explored taboo subjects and while they weren’t commercially successful, they remain powerfully influential and rich with wisdom. One of her earlier films, Cléo de 5 à 7 (1962) explores existentialism, narcissism and pain through a decidedly feminine lens—Peter Bradshaw writes, the film “is news that …
