Thirty years after the Chernobyl catastrophe, the 1,000-square-mile dead zone surrounding the wrecked nuclear power plant remains one of the most highly radioactive places in the world. While this section of Ukraine is guarded by the military and is off-limits to most civilians, it is still home to roughly 100 elderly women who refuse to leave. Filmmakers Holly Morris and Ann Bogart here present an extraordinary portrait of resilience in the face of calamity, following the eponymous babushkas as they happily go about their lives in small homes in the woods around Chernobyl: fishing in a stream, collecting rainwater, growing fruits and vegetables in their gardens, and making their own wine. Military scientists bring them bread while recording radioactivity levels, and government welfare workers deliver pension payments—four months late, due to Ukraine's political instability—as well as bags of food. Most of the women appear to be in vibrant physical and emotional health, despite contamination of the water and soil, although one woman is evacuated after a painful fall leaves her incapacitated. The film also follows the clandestine antics of young rogues who call themselves “Stalkers” and slip into the dead zone to visit its abandoned structures. A compelling portrait of a stubborn people persevering in a dangerous and inhospitable setting, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
The Babushkas of Chernobyl
(2015) 72 min. DVD: $89: public libraries & high schools; $250: colleges & universities. DRA. The Video Project. PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 31, Issue 5
The Babushkas of Chernobyl
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: