Heavy Water: A Film for Chernobyl

Film Description

On April 26th, 1986, reactor four at Chernobyl nuclear power station exploded, sending an enormous radioactive cloud over Northern Ukraine and neighbouring Belarus. The danger was kept a secret from the rest of the world and the nearby population went about their business as usual. As May Day celebrations began, children played and the residents of Pripyat marvelled at the spectacular fire raging at the reactor. After three days, an area the size of England was contaminated with radioactive dust, creating a 'zone' of poisoned land.

Based on Mario Petrucci's award-winning book-length poem, this film tells the story of the people who dealt with the disaster at ground-level: the fire-fighters, the soldiers, the 'liquidators', and their families.

The poetry is read by David Bickerstaff, Francine Brody, Juliet Stevenson, David Threlfall and Samuel West.

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By Vicky on 13th June 2007

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Related Genres

• Documentaries / Political
• Documentaries / Other