In Places Like This One

Film by Karol JałochowskiWith Amélie Desvars-Larrive, Heinz Fischer, Laura Freudenthaler, Mirta Galesic, Rudolf Hanel, Peter Klimek, Eddie Lee, Ljubica Nedelkoska, Helga Nowotny, Henrik Olsson, Wendelin Pressl, Vito D. P. Servedio, Stefan ThurnerSupported by Complexity Science HubRuntime: 100 min2026

“Without a doubt, this discovery is the greatest sensation of my life.”
^{Heinz Fischer, politician}

Imagine a planet where life has been reduced to brutal simplicity. There is almost no complexity, no grey area. Neurons do not turn into minds, life forms into societies. Systems are nothing more than the sum of their parts. Welcome to Null.Filmmaker Karol Jałochowski invented this celestial body – and then invited leading European scientists, acclaimed artists, and respected public figures to join a Gedankenexperiment: to describe the planet and act as if it truly existed somewhere in the universe.Their stories ultimately formed something far richer and more nuanced than the director had originally envisioned.

“This is beautiful! It’s everything political philosophers have dreamt of.”
^{Henrik Olsson, scientist}

The collective result is a surreal, mostly improvised, deliberately paced, deadpan documentary that blurs the boundary between reality and fiction. With scientific rigor and artistic sensitivity, the film reveals the uneven process of exploring and understanding Null.In the end, one realization becomes unavoidable: whether the planet exists or not, we are in fact speaking about something more universal — how to sustain life, knowledge, and freedom.Malevolent forces have always sought to impose a world without nuance or contradiction. Tyrants rise to power by offering primitive solutions to complex problems. Simplicity is seductive.

“Now imagine Null — a new planet, perhaps a new future.”
^{Wendelin Press, artist}

Among thirteen guides are Heinz Fischer, former President of Austria; Laura Freudenthaler, the award-winning novelist; Mirta Galesic, a world-renowned cognitive scientist studying the dynamics of collective intelligence; and Stefan Thurner, a physicist known for his fundamental work on network theory and systemic risk, the director of Complexity Science Hub (also hosting the project).The city of Vienna becomes both stage and co-author. It is a mirror – a place where we confront what happens when emergence, diversity, and feedback vanish.

Agents involved

Karol Jałochowski
A physicist, filmmaker, science journalist. He created the acclaimed documentary series Pioneers: At the Edge of Understanding and has collaborated with POLITYKA, Newsweek and Scientific American. His work bridges science, culture, and philosophy. Selected examples can be watched here.

Complexity Science Hub
A leading European research institute studying complex systems (from societies and economies to biological and technological networks) through data-driven, interdisciplinary approaches. It brings together scientists to uncover the systemic principles shaping our interconnected world. More information here.

Amélie Desvars-Larrive
Epidemiologist studying infectious disease dynamics, including zoonotic and emerging pathogens. Works between veterinary medicine and public health; conducted field investigations of outbreaks.

Heinz Fischer
Austrian politician with a doctorate in law. Served as President of the National Council, Federal Minister for Science and Research, and Federal President of Austria (2004–2016).

Laura Freudenthaler ↑
Austrian writer known for precise, introspective prose. She received the Förderpreis zum Bremer Literaturpreis, and her novel Geistergeschichte won the European Union Prize for Literature.

Mirta Galesic
Studies how cognitive mechanisms interact with social and physical environments to shape collective outcomes. Develops computational models of group behavior and decision-making processes.

Rudolf Hanel ↑
Physicist researching non-equilibrium processes, thermodynamic properties, phase transitions, and tipping points in complex systems.

Peter Klimek ↑
Complexity scientist working at the intersection of data science, statistics, and physics to advance the understanding and modeling of socio-economic systems.

Eddie Lee
Investigates patterns across scales, from neural tissue and forest ecology to armed conflict and broader social processes, seeking shared structural principles.

Ljubica Nedelkoska ↑
Researcher focusing on human mobility, diasporas, and skill–technology relations. Has led or contributed to policy-oriented projects in several countries.

Helga Nowotny
Sociologist of science and technology. Founding member of the European Research Council; served as its President (2010–2013) and remains engaged in European research policy.

Henrik Olsson ↑
Researches collective decision-making, judgment under uncertainty, social cognition, belief dynamics, categorization, and visual perception.

Wendelin Pressl ↑
Artist working with installations and drawing. Combines conceptual approaches with social commentary, inviting reflection on individual and collective contexts. The artist’s website.

Vito D. P. Servedio ↑
Researcher in human dynamics active in both theoretical and applied domains, including innovation processes, opinion formation, and economic complexity.

Stefan Thurner
Network scientist studying complex systems, with applications in medicine, finance, supply chains, systemic risk, and public opinion dynamics.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Sonja Jöchtl
Stefan ThurnerPROJECT HOST
Complexity Science HubCONTRIBUTORS
Carrie Cowan
Remah Dahdoul
Gerald Fritz
Sophia Greilhuber
Gabriela Juncosa
Katarina Koczkova
Niraj Kushwaha
Nikolaos Marmaras
Eliza Muto
Judith Pichler
Krystian Podolecki
Donna TansilDATA ARTIST
Liuhuaying YangCOMPOSER
Kajetan JałochowskiWRITER, DIRECTOR, EDITOR
Karol Jałochowski

All images copyright © KJ