THURSDAY 1 - Splicing of the Atom: Nuclear Taboo in Cinema

Programmed by: Max de Saint-Exupery

Ever since the dropping of the first atomic bombs publicly and devastatingly led to the end of World War 2, nuclear weapons have played an undeniable role in shaping our world’s geopolitics, energy industry and pop culture. The perpetual paranoia of sudden atomic annihilation has and continues to seep its way into global cinema and filmmaking, inspiring directors and audiences alike to question how the individual and society can respond to and coexist within an age of nuclear powers beyond our control.

Each film in the series depicts nuclear weapons or energy across a variety of narrative perspectives, cultures and tones. Films such as Grave of the Fireflies, Hiroshima and Godzilla retell and reimagine the historical tragedies of the Kobe Fire Bombings, Little Boy and the Lucky Dragon 5 Incident from the nation that witnessed them firsthand, whereas Fail Safe, La Jetée and When the Wind Blows play into contemporary culture fears and speculation by transforming the atomic war into fabricated realities. In spite of their bleakness, these stories remind us of the (non-Mushroom shaped) light at the end of the tunnel by providing a glimpse into a spectrum of forms of reflection and coexistence, whether it be through retroactive satire (The Atomic Café) or through self-acceptance and maintain faith in a seemingly cold world (Winter Light). Across such a tonal range, audiences are certain to find something terrifying, awe-inspiring and comforting in each film.