The Path of Totality: A Digital Film About the 2002 Total Solar Eclipse
In 2002 a total solar eclipse passed over outback South Australia, the first in Australia in more than twenty five years. Award winning digital filmmaker Ash Starkey was there, capturing the event along with interviews and reactions from a wide variety of characters. An updated 2012 special edition of the film has just been released. This fast faced, hour long documentary contains elements of science, religion, humour, disappointment and wonderment. It includes footage and photographs of the total solar eclipse along with highlights of a live CSIRO broadcast from the path of totality. The interview subjects include eclipse enthusiasts who've travelled the world chasing this spectacular astronomical phenomenon; scientists with their feet planted firmly on the ground; astrologers in search of transcendence; ravers who want to party; an ophthalmologist warning against the use of eclipse glasses and many who safely ignored the warnings; and a cynic who's hoping the whole thing will be a disaster. Those in the outback had clear skies to view the eclipse but as totality approaches on the foreshore of Ceduna clouds play havoc with the view, the tension mounts and no one is sure who will see the event and who won't. The Path of Totality was selected to play on 600 screens around Australia and New Zealand for National Science Week. As one eclipse enthusiast states in the film "You've got to see one of these things, then you can say you're ready to die..." 2012 special addition features Plus 5 special features including 1976 total solar eclipse television report.
