In this timely, well-made documentary on one of the hottest topics in contemporary politics, New Zealand filmmaker Justin Pemberton takes viewers on a worldwide tour to examine the viability of returning to nuclear power as a replacement for coal, gas, and oil-fired energy plants. The Nuclear Comeback touches on the history of nuclear power while also visiting a handful of nuclear energy plants that have secured a famous or infamous place in history. At the Calder Hall facility in England (the “grand old lady” of commercial nuclear power), we see how an old, reliable plant still runs smoothly, while at the infamous Chernobyl plant in the former Soviet Union, we are reminded of how entire cities can be turned into radioactive ghost towns in a nuclear worst-case scenario. In Sweden, nuclear reactors are still being operated despite the country's nuclear phase-out policy; in fact, 27 nuclear power stations are currently under construction around the world, with another 136 plant starts to be commenced within the next decade. The central question of Pemberton's film is whether we could be “jumping out of the carbon frying pan and into the plutonium fire” by embracing nuclear energy (despite its risks), and whether we should reject it out of fear of another Chernobyl-like disaster. To its credit, The Nuclear Comeback maintains a balanced perspective on a volatile issue, with persuasive arguments from expert advocates and detractors alike, packaged in a compelling documentary with slick visuals. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Shannon)
The Nuclear Comeback
(2007) 58 min. DVD: $390. Icarus Films. PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 23, Issue 6
The Nuclear Comeback
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