The End of Quiet

In a contemplative and visually striking documentary, the role of technology in modern society is explored as scientists listen out into space in search of the universe’s mysteries.

In the Quiet Zone surrounding the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia, smartphones, Wi-Fi, and other transmitters are prohibited so as not to interfere with the vast and highly sensitive radio telescope that captures signals from the cosmos. The absence of modern technology has left a distinct mark on the area, creating a community where time seems to have stood still. We meet a young couple dreaming of a more connected life beyond the zone, a woman who has found refuge here, and scientists who worry about the future of the Quiet Zone itself.

• Tobias Åkesson