ScheduleApril 3, 2025

In 1980, the oil-rich city of Abadan is under siege, gripped by chaos after an Iraqi missile strike. Fourteen-year-old Omid, who has chosen to stay behind with his grandfather, struggles to navigate the war-torn streets. As he works as a food delivery boy, he searches desperately for his missing brother while the noose tightens around the city. Alongside a cast of resilient survivors—each resisting in their own way—Omid stumbles upon an abandoned boat in the port. Determined to save his loved ones, he turns it into their last hope for escape—his own ark amidst the destruction.

After the screening, join director Sepideh Farsi for a workshop and a discussion on her movies, and the role of artists on contemporary issues.

This inaugural lecture delivered by esteemed MIT Economics Professors and 2019 Nobel Prize laureates Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, will kick off the evening’s discussions by defining and introducing the fundamental concepts of the common good. Drawing on their groundbreaking research in development economics, they will explore how this notion applies across various sectors of society, shaping policies and influencing decision-making at both the local and global levels. Using an economic lens, Professors Duflo and Banerjee will examine the critical role that both public authorities and the private sector play in fostering the common good. They will discuss the responsibilities of governments in implementing policies that promote social welfare and sustainability, as well as the potential for businesses to contribute to the broader well-being of society through ethical practices and corporate responsibility. This lecture will offer valuable insights into how economic principles can be leveraged to create more inclusive and equitable systems that serve the interests of all.

Rich Wilson will lead this workshop, sharing his experiences as a solo ocean racing skipper and his commitment to environmental action. Through his work with SitesAlife, he has witnessed firsthand the major challenges facing our oceans and the evolution of these issues between his two races at the Vendée Globe. The session will explore key environmental concerns, particularly ocean preservation, and highlight concrete actions—both individual and collective—that can make a difference. Drawing from real-life experiences at sea, Rich will illustrate how small actions can have a big impact. Beyond sustainability, this workshop will also delve into the theme of pushing one’s limits. Solo ocean racing is a test of resilience and adaptability, offering valuable lessons in overcoming challenges—both on the water and in life. This interactive session is designed for those passionate about adventure, environmental responsibility, and personal growth.

This round-table discussion will delve into the concept of the common good, focusing on external shared resources that predate humanity, such as the environment, as well as natural and living resources like water and air. These vital resources, while some remain freely accessible, are increasingly subject to privatization and commercial exploitation.

Bringing together four distinguished speakers from both academic and professional fields, this discussion will illuminate the challenges and opportunities in promoting and preserving these essential resources in the face of escalating climate threats. The panelists will explore how the environment functions as a shared common good, and examine the roles that individuals, communities, and public policies can play in its protection. By addressing sustainable practices, regulatory measures, and collective responsibility, the conversation will offer insights ensuring the long-term viability of our planet’s most precious assets.

Artificial Intelligence is currently being used for numerous tasks in medicine. Why are we experiencing such a golden age of AI applied to medicine? This workshop will illustrate the use of AI through various published examples: predicting the risk of developing a disease 5 years in advance, automated interpretation of medical imaging, deep learning-based melanoma detection, survival prediction from simple CT scans, robotic surgery guidance, and depression screening via Instagram. Each example will be explained and discussed. However, AI also involves risks associated with the management of training data, biases, and adversarial attacks. Finally, Professor Jean-Emmanuel Bibault will address development perspectives over the next 10 to 15 years to understand how AI will transform healthcare for everyone.

Following the screening of The Siren at the Omni Theater, director Sepideh Farsi will lead an engaging workshop, offering the audience the opportunity to delve deeper into her film and creative vision. This discussion, moderated by Professor of French Odile Cazenave, will not only explore the themes and artistic choices behind The Siren but will also open a broader conversation on the role of artists in addressing contemporary issues and their commitment to social and political discourse. This cinema-focused workshop is designed for those who attended the screening as well as a wider audience interested in film, artistic engagement, and the intersection of cinema and societal debates.

For six years, 18-year-old Melati has been fighting against the plastic pollution devastating her homeland, Indonesia. But she is not alone. All over the world, a new generation is rising—young people determined to fix what’s broken. They are standing up for human rights, climate action, freedom of speech, social justice, and access to education and food. They fight for dignity. Often against overwhelming odds, sometimes at great personal risk, they protect, expose, and care—for people, for the planet. And they are making a difference.

Melati embarks on a journey to meet them, seeking inspiration to keep going. From Rio’s favelas to Malawi’s remote villages, from fragile boats off Lesbos to Native American ceremonies in Colorado’s mountains, she encounters Rene, Mary, Xiu, Memory, Mohamad, and Winnie—each carrying their own story of courage and determination. In a time when the world feels like it’s unraveling, these young changemakers show us another way—how to fight, how to hope, and ultimately, how to live.

This roundtable on Social Justice will explore the complex issues of justice and injustice within the social sphere, highlighting the key political and societal challenges involved in building a shared common good. The discussion will delve into themes such as diversity, inclusion, integration, minority rights, and community participation, while also addressing the role of democracy in fostering a more just society. Bringing together experts, artists, and researchers, this conversation will examine the roots of social and economic inequalities and explore how public policies can contribute to greater fairness and inclusion. Speakers will also discuss the challenges and opportunities in shaping policies that promote democratic participation, reduce disparities, and ensure that justice is accessible to all. Through this exchange, the roundtable will offer insights into how societies can work toward a more equitable and inclusive future.

Come discover the work of Yann Mirada, French Designer and Fine Wood Worker, doing an artist residency in New England and exploring the heritage and history of an American icon, the rocking-chair. 

Through an interactive workshop, Yann will share insights about the transmission of knowledge and gestures, the preservation of material goods, and the copyright of works. In the second part of this workshop, Yann will invite you to work on your own DIY rocking-chair model. Come initiate yourself to wood working and furniture making!

Get ready for an electrifying 30-minute journey as the Berklee French Touch takes over the decks! From 10:30PM to 11PM, experience a dynamic and genre-blending set that showcases the raw talent and creativity of Berklee’s finest.