Chernobyl: September 2007 Archives
If you would like to learn more about the planned construction of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant, watch the following video. This short film also discusses how they will de-construct the original Sarcophagus once the NSC is in place. It's some fascinating technology!
If you would like to learn more about the Chernobyl Sarcophagus stabilization, watch this short video:
Monday, September 17, 2007 -- a day that will be remembered for Ukraine's announcement that they have finally signed a contract for the construction of the New Safe Confinement that will cover damaged Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant.
The French firm Novarka will build the new structure at a cost of $1.4 billion. The project will take five years to complete. It will be constructed of steel, and stand 190 meters (623 feet) tall and 200 meters long.
I finally wrote my review of the 1999 Nicklaus Geyrhalter documentary film Pripyat. I had forgotten that this movie is fairly depressing. Then again, is there anything about Chernobyl that is not at least a little depressing?
I think what struck me most about this film is all the silence in the background. There is no soundtrack - if people are not talking, there is only silence (except for several vehicles and occasional birds chirping). It reminded me very much of my own experiences in the Zone. I still vividly remember a year ago standing in Pripyat's main square in front of the Palace of Culture and hearing absolutely nothing. Think about that - I was standing in the middle of a city that used to be home to almost 50,000 people and heard absolutely nothing!
My only complaint about the film is that it was shot in black & white. The B & W treatment makes the area look like a wasteland. I understand that Geyrhalter did this for effect (and it definitely worked), but the area is not a wasteland. The Zone contains a lot of life, but plant and animal. The only reason the area could be considered a wasteland is because over 100,000 people used to live there, and now they can't.
This film is a must see. If it is not playing locally, I think you can buy it online. If not, you can purchase it directly from the film company (warning: it is only available in PAL format). Just send them an email and they will provide you with purchase information.
