iWonder November highlights: Nuclear Reactions
With the annually celebrated World Nuclear Energy Day in December once again bringing the controversial technology to the fore, this month iWonder pulls together a collection of films that look at both sides of the nuclear debate, as well as the power it has to leave an indelible mark on the world.
Then in this November’s iWonder What Top Five, we feature five films that look at nuclear power’s past, it’s unrealised potential, and the changing world around it.
Nuclear Forever
#Debate #Germany #CPHDOX
Launches 28 Nov
Is nuclear power a dangerous gamble or a necessary tool against climate change?
In Nuclear Forever, director Carsten Rau explores nuclear energy’s complex legacy through interviews with scientists, policymakers, and those impacted by nuclear policies. As Germany, at the time led by Angela Merkel, phases out nuclear reactors while France maintains a heavy reliance on them, the documentary presents both the environmental hopes and profound dangers tied to atomic power.
Rau’s skilful storytelling balances hard data with powerful visuals, capturing the scale of nuclear challenges, from costly decommissioning to storing waste for 1 million years. The film doesn’t offer easy answers; instead, it tries to tackle the pressing question: Is nuclear power a dangerous gamble or a necessary tool against climate change?
A must-watch for anyone invested in the future of energy, Nuclear Forever is a timely, balanced look at one of the defining issues of our time.
Atomic Hope: Inside the Pro-Nuclear Movement
#Renewables #Pro-Nuclear #HotDocs
Atomic Hope revisits a once-taboo debate with a clear message: nuclear energy, while controversial, may be essential in our fight against climate change. Directed by Frankie Fenton, this Hot Docs nominated documentary follows a group of dedicated pro-nuclear activists who argue that the science behind nuclear power is misunderstood and overshadowed by a lingering “mythology of horror” tied to incidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima. In a world struggling to make significant headway with renewables, these advocates claim nuclear energy is a necessary and climate-friendly alternative.
Drawing comparisons to Pandora’s Promise, Atomic Hope also confronts the challenges of changing public perception, especially when generations have been raised to equate nuclear with disaster. Through carefully revisited data, safety improvements, and insights from passionate environmentalists, the film asks whether nuclear energy’s potential to reduce fossil-fuel dependence outweighs its risks.
As climate pressures escalate, Atomic Hope offers a thought-provoking perspective on one of our most polarising energy sources, challenging viewers to rethink nuclear as part of a sustainable future.
Chillnobyl
#Nuclear #Rave #Creativity #Chernobyl
Launches 7 Nov
Chillnobyl follows Igor and his friends as they embark on a daring mission to turn Chernobyl’s Exclusion Zone from a symbol of disaster into a space for creativity. 35 years after the nuclear catastrophe, Igor dreams of hosting a rave at the heart of Chernobyl, challenging old perceptions and bringing new life to this desolate area.
Facing resistance, corruption, and societal fears, Igor’s journey highlights the clash between Soviet-era scars and modern hopes for renewal. Chillnobyl offers a unique glimpse into the power of art and resilience to reshape even the most unlikely spaces, suggesting that Chernobyl’s future might hold more than its tragic past.
iWonder When
December 2nd 2024
World Nuclear Energy Day, celebrated annually on December 2nd, highlights the critical role of nuclear energy in the global transition to sustainable power. The day promotes awareness of nuclear technology’s contributions to clean energy, low carbon emissions, and energy security. In 2024, the event will emphasize innovation in reactor design, nuclear safety, and advancements in waste management. It also seeks to engage the public and policymakers by showcasing nuclear’s potential in combating climate change and supporting energy independence. Events worldwide include panel discussions, educational programs, and virtual forums to explore nuclear’s expanding role in the energy mix.
iWonder Who
Stanley Pons
Chronicled in ‘The Believers’ streaming now on iWonder, Stanley Pons is an American electrochemist best known for his role in the cold fusion controversy of 1989. Born in North Carolina, Pons pursued a career in chemistry, eventually becoming a professor at the University of Utah. Alongside Martin Fleischmann, Pons co-announced a potential breakthrough in nuclear fusion, claiming to have generated energy through cold fusion in a laboratory setting. The announcement was met with widespread excitement but quickly became controversial as other scientists struggled to replicate the results. Pons eventually left the United States, continuing research in France but maintaining a low profile in the scientific community thereafter.
iWonder What
Nuclear unclear
This November’s iWonder What Top Five features a collection of films that look at the mark that nuclear power has already left on the world, the opportunity for it to one day realise the promise it once held, and how it may still be consigned to history by the rapidly changing needs of the world around it.
1) Azure Dust
#Radioactive #SurvivorStories #Chernobyl
Azure Dust offers a haunting look at Pripyat, the ghost town left in the wake of Chernobyl’s 1986 disaster. Through two survivors’ stories and a “stalker” guide who leads tourists into the Exclusion Zone, the film unveils the silent threat of cesium-137, or “azure dust,” still lingering in the landscape. Powerful imagery, raw personal stories, and very highly rated at 8.6 on IMDB.
2)The Believers
#ColdFusion #Science #Breakthrough
March 1989: two respected chemists announce they have solved the world's energy problems. Cold Fusion is born. But three short months later they flee the US as Cold Fusion becomes synonymous with 'bad science.' 25 years on, a group of scientists, entrepreneurs and one high school student are confident that Cold Fusion will save the world.
3) Cactus Power
#EcoInnovation #Green #Biogas
Engineer Miguel and farmer Rogelio pioneer clean energy from prickly pear cactus, creating emission-free biogas and inspiring a new generation to harness this unique plant's potential. Join them as they build a cactus-powered biotechnology system for the Technological Institute of Iztapalapa in Mexico City.
4) Planet Re:Think
#Resilience #Sustainability #CleanFuture
In "Planet Re:Think," a powerful documentary by Eskil Hardt, we witness the dire consequences of our unsustainable development model and how it is destroying our planet. Released in 2012, this film remains highly relevant in today's world, where the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible.
5) The Carbon Conundrum
#EnergyTransition #Decarbonise #Renewables
From the richest countries in the world to small island nations, no one is spared the effects of climate change. Scientific data presents a clear picture: the earth is warming, and human actions are the cause. Excessive carbon emission from fossil fuels is the main culprit, but can we cut our ties to carbon while advancing our civilisation?