Long before “Einstein” became an adjective to denote genius, it was simply the name of a scientist whose vision upended our view of the universe and matter itself.
But a shroud of mystery continues to surround the man, especially regarding his volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships.
Starting today, Genius, National Geographic Channel's first scripted series, pulls back the curtain to reveal how Albert the man became Einstein the icon.
It is a global television event, a retelling of his tumultuous life in 10 episodes that will be broadcast in 171 countries and 45 languages.
“We all know of his genius, his gifts,” says Ron Howard, the director of the first episode and executive producer of the series.
“But Alfred Einstein’s private life is far more complicated and dramatic than, certainly, I ever realised. And there’s a very human story to be told here.”
Howard's knack for portraying genius on screen is well-established. He won the 2002 Academy Award for Best Director for A Beautiful Mind, which depicted the tortured reality of mathematical prodigy John Forbes Nash Jr, as portrayed by Russell Crowe.
In telling the story of Einstein, Howard has recruited a dream team of talent. As the older Einstein, the ever-masterful Geoffrey Rush yet again displays his flair for playing uncommon men, adding to a resume that includes: Captain Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, a speech coach to George VI in The King's Speech (2010), and a brilliant, troubled pianist in Shine (1996), for which he won an Oscar.
Joining Rush as a younger Albert in the years before he rose to fame is Johnny Flynn (Clouds of Sils Maria, Lovesick), and Emily Watson (The Theory of Everything) as his second wife Elsa. The series also stars Samantha Colley (The Crucible), T R Knight (Grey's Anatomy, The Good Wife), Seth Gabel (Salem) and Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men).
In a retelling shaped by Walter Isaacson's book, Einstein: His Life and Universe, we meet him as a imaginative, rebellious thinker who rose from humble origins. While Einstein, the theoretical physicist, unlocked the cosmos with his theory of relativity, and was a bit of a playful joker with crazy hair, he could also unleash callous emotions on those closest to him, including his children, two wives and the women with whom he had extra-marital affairs.
“Ron was very keen to take the elements of Einstein’s life, that it not fall into the trap of being a biopic,” says 65-year-old Rush. “The story of Einstein’s life is sandwiched between a major breakthrough period of science in the late-19th century, and through the devastation of the two world wars. He wanted that to have real dramatic kick.”
Through storytelling that is exciting, rather than rigid and formal, we follow the trajectory of Einstein’s life through an era of global unrest: as a Jewish man facing rising anti-Semitism in Europe, surveillance by spies, and the potential for atomic annihilation. Through it all, he struggles as a husband and a father, not to mention as a man of principle, even when his life is put in jeopardy.
With a youthful, energetic visual style, Genius serves up a period feast. It was filmed amid the architectural splendour of historic Prague – where Einstein lived and taught early in his career – with authentic costumes made from vintage material, and detail from the era accurate right down to the light switches.
“My favourite thing is the [costume] fittings, and Mileva’s bows,” says Colley, who plays Mileva Maric, Einstein’s first wife. “When I put on one of her bows, I feel myself shifting into her.”
Rush highlights the sheer ambition of the production.
“This is one of the great parts – and the scale of it so big,” he says. “I had to consider the whole idea of genius in my preparation for the role, and I found the most fantastic, pithy epithet from the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer: ‘Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see.’”
• Genius starts at 3pm today on Nat Geo Channel, with repeats throughout the week.
artslife@thenational.ae
Scores
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Tickets
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
