The Atomic States of America
Based on Welcome to Shirley: A Memoir from an Atomic Town and directed by Don Argott & Sheena Joyce, the documentary film The Atomic States of America ( 9.14 Pictures) tracks reactor communities across the country and the dire health consequences that follow. Acutely topical—given the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan—the film convincingly encapsulates both the history of this allegedly clean source of energy and our collective denial of a potentially looming disaster at our aging sites. Firsthand narratives from people connected to the nuclear industry blend with the behind-the-scenes debacle of maintaining legitimate regulation. The film premiered January 23 at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
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“The docu presents both sides of the issue but can’t avoid the conclusion that, when it comes to reactors, money trumps safety.”
The Atomic States of America: Sundance Film Review
The Hollywood Reporter, February 2012
The Atomic States of America
Variety, January 2012