Chernobyl Documentary Film Reviews
The 24th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is less than two weeks away and there is not much new to report regarding activities within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Therefore, I figured this would be a good time to re-post some reviews I wrote several years ago about some Chernobyl documentary films. Either click on the links below or go to the Articles section of this website to read the full reviews
The first documentary film is Pripyat. This 1999 black and white film by Nicklaus Geyrhalter takes a look at life in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The film not only discusses Pripyat, but also the lives of workers at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and how samosels survive in the Zone. The film also takes a close look at one of the Zone's contaminated vehicle graveyards.
Next is Julio Soto's 2005 documentary, Radiophobia. This color film examines the devastation caused by the 1986 Chernobyl accident. The main location is the city of Pripyat, though it also briefly touches on the samosels. My friends and former Pripyat residents Lyubov Sirota and her son Sasha appear in this film.
Last, but certainly not least, is Heavy Water: A Film for Chernobyl. Directed by David Bickerstaff and Phil Grabsky, the moving film is based on Mario Petrucci's book-length poem, "Heavy Water: A Poem for Chernobyl." This film is quite different, substituting Petrucci's poetry in place of facts and general narration. Heavy Water places more focus on the samosels, though it also looks at Pripyat and some abandoned villages.
The first documentary film is Pripyat. This 1999 black and white film by Nicklaus Geyrhalter takes a look at life in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The film not only discusses Pripyat, but also the lives of workers at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and how samosels survive in the Zone. The film also takes a close look at one of the Zone's contaminated vehicle graveyards.
Next is Julio Soto's 2005 documentary, Radiophobia. This color film examines the devastation caused by the 1986 Chernobyl accident. The main location is the city of Pripyat, though it also briefly touches on the samosels. My friends and former Pripyat residents Lyubov Sirota and her son Sasha appear in this film.
Last, but certainly not least, is Heavy Water: A Film for Chernobyl. Directed by David Bickerstaff and Phil Grabsky, the moving film is based on Mario Petrucci's book-length poem, "Heavy Water: A Poem for Chernobyl." This film is quite different, substituting Petrucci's poetry in place of facts and general narration. Heavy Water places more focus on the samosels, though it also looks at Pripyat and some abandoned villages.
I would love to see these films, where can i view them?
Posted by: Twan | April 15, 2010 9:05 AM
It may be possible to see these documentaries at some film festivals. I also believe they may have been aired on some public television stations in the US.
You can purchase a copy of "Pripyat" from Geyrhalter Films. I think it is only available on video tape in PAL format. You need to contact them about the cost and arrange for a bank transfer. A version of this film with German subtitles is available in 10 parts on Youtube.
Someone put "Radiophobia" on Youtube in 6 parts, but that version does not have English subtitles. You can also download the film without English subtitles as one file from the Pripyat.com website. I was recently in contact with Julio Soto and they are still trying to work on a DVD distribution deal, which would include English subtitles.
Heavy Water: A Film for Chernobyl is available for $32.00 from Amazon.com.
Posted by: Mark
| April 15, 2010 9:32 AM