Alan Turing documentary

Here’s a teaser for a film,  The Genius of Alan Turing Film, currently under production.

It will be a documentary about the life and contributions of Alan Turing. The centenary of his birth is being marked next year (see Celebrating Alan Turing’s life and achievements). I hope it gets a wide circulation because Turing really doesn’t get the attention he deserves in the public mind.

Turing Documentary

The website for the documentary describes it this way:

Alan Turing is one of the most important scientists who ever lived. He set in motion the digital revolution and his World War II code breaking helped save two million lives. Yet few people alive today have ever heard his name or know his story. A documentary film is being developed to change this. 100 years after his birth, an international production team is set to take viewers on a journey to rediscover the man and the mystery.

Alan Turing was a flamboyant Technicolor genius yet instead of accolades and respect, he faced prosecution by the British government because he was gay. In 1954, Turing committed suicide at age 41 after being forced to undergo hormone therapy to “fix” his sexual orientation. He  left behind a lasting legacy and lingering questions about what else he might have accomplished if society had embraced his unique genius instead of rejecting it.

Research and development for this feature-length drama documentary is underway; with plans to reach many millions of viewers around the world online and through broadcast and theatrical release of the film.

The international production team includes Turing’s preeminent biographer Dr. Andrew Hodges.  Funding is currently being lined up for the film, with a goal for completion in mid-2012, to coincide with the centenary of Turing’s birth.

Turing Centers

A Commons Select Committee in the UK House of Parliament is recommending commemorating Alan Turing in the naming of a network of Technology and Innovation Centres. The proposal is to call them “Turing Centres.”

Andrew Miller MP, Chair of the Committee, said:

“Alan Turing played a significant role in the creation of the modern computer. He was an accomplished mathematician who was highly influential in the development of computer science. It would be a fitting tribute to honour his contribution to the development of modern computing technology by naming the network of TICs ‘Turing Centres’.”

Thanks to Patrick Sammon, co-producer.

See also:
Celebrating Alan Turing’s life and achievements
The Genius of Alan Turing Blog
“We’re sorry: you deserved so much better”

Similar articles

Celebrating Alan Turing’s life and achievements

This is something to look forward to -  THE ALAN TURING YEAR.

Alan Turing: Credit Psychology Wiki

June 23, 2012, is the Centenary of Alan Turing’s birth in London. During his relatively brief life, Turing made a unique impact on the history of computing, computer science, artificial intelligence, developmental biology, and the mathematical theory of computability.

2012 will be a celebration of Turing’s life and scientific impact, with a number of major events taking place throughout the year. Most of these will be linked to places with special significance in Turing’s life, such as Cambridge, Manchester and Bletchley Park.

The Turing Year is coordinated by the Turing Centenary Advisory Committee (TCAC), representing a range of expertise and organisational involvement in the 2012 celebrations. Organisations and individuals wanting to contribute ideas or support for the Turing Year are invited to contact any of the current TCAC members.

Thanks to the THE ALAN TURING YEAR website for the above information. Twitterers can keep up with plans and activities  by following @AlanTuringYear

Events: The website provides information on events throughout the word – including at least one in New Zealand - Gibbons Memorial Lecture Series 2012, Auckland, New Zealand. Contact: Bob Doran

“We’re sorry: you deserved so much better”

These words concluded the British Government’s apology for the treatment of Alan Turing whose conviction in 1952 for being homosexual led to his suicide. Gordon Brown’s statement came in response to a petition calling for the apology.

The full text of the apology from Number10.gov.uk – the official website of the UK Prime Minister (see Treatment of Alan Turing was “appalling” – PM ):