ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
After the Boston Marathon Bombing, a group of world-class experts in religion and computer science create cutting-edge simulations to predict and prevent religious radicalization and violence...but saving lives in the real world is harder than they thought.

SYNOPSIS
With a rising number of religious extremist terror attacks in North America and Europe, and refugees pouring into Europe from across the Mediterranean Sea, a team of computer scientists and religion scholars are called to action after the Boston Marathon Bombing to find solutions to worldwide humanitarian crises.

Now, racing against the clock, this unlikely crew of experts strives for three years to develop cutting-edge computer and simulation technology, which can predict causal factors that instigate religious violence. Going to great lengths to apply their findings to future policy, the team expands their operations from their headquarters in Boston and a Virginia research center to a Norwegian University.

Eventually traveling to refugee camps in Lesvos, Greece, the team aims to take their work beyond their scholarly “ivory tower” as they come to understand and simulate the real-life connection between religious extremism and the refugee crisis. The team comes together to conclude and present their findings, unsure if and when the project will have any impact on future policy.

They conclude that putting forth one’s best effort is worthwhile and much better than inaction, and that the future deserves our best effort.

PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature

DIRECTOR Jenn Lindsay
PRODUCER Jenn Lindsay
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Wesley Wildman, Edoardo Varasi

WEBSITE simulatingreligionfilm.com