David MacMillan

A gripping, sobering exposé of America's relationship with science, We Believe In Dinosaurs tells the story of the largest science denial movement in the United States as displayed in the development, construction, and growth of the Answers In Genesis Ark Encounter theme park. Located in Kentucky, the Ark Encounter is advertised as a for-profit tourist attraction, garnering financial support from both local and state tax dollars, all while its creators intend for it to act as a veritable temple for religious teaching and conversion. The Ark Encounter offers a sweeping alternative to mainstream science, presenting a world in which humans and dinosaurs walked together just thousands of years ago. But this is not their fantasy. They maintain an aggressive team of credentialed researchers and former scientists who argue fiercely for the validity of their worldview. Despite the sensitive and often-disturbing nature of the content, the film avoids using outside sources to provide commentary on creationism. Instead, when the filmmakers aren't directly interviewing the creationists at the Ark Encounter, they tell the story through the eyes and experiences of three Kentucky natives: a local geologist who fought bitterly against the tax incentives that made the Ark possible, a talented artist who deeply believes in the message he is promoting at the Ark Encounter, and a former creationist who came to reject the teachings he once championed. As the Ark Encounter moves from an idea to a project to a functioning attraction, their narratives weave together in a story that is as compelling as it is alarming. With science under attack from so many directions, this particular form of science denial is deeply concerning, both for the future of education and for concerns over public policy. The film avoids pitting religion against science, giving examples of local religious leaders who see no conflict between their faith and the findings of mainstream science. Frustratingly, however, it offers no magic bullet to counteract the science denial it so skillfully exposes. Perhaps, however, that is the filmmakers' intention: not to fix the relationship between America and science, but to invite a conversation. A must-see for anyone who believes science is real...as well as anyone who does not.