Atomic Hope                                
Directed by Frankie Fenton

CAN nuclear energy be the answer to the climate crisis? That is the belief of the subjects at the centre of Irish filmmaker Frankie Fenton’s provocative new film who assert that it is one of the cleanest and safest technologies in the world.

Thirteen years in the making, Fenton’s observational documentary which he was director of photography as well as writing, directing and producing, follows a small group of pro-nuclear activists as they try to persuade law makers and the public of the virtues of atomic energy using scientific evidence.

“It’s the only technology that can lift all humans out of poverty, create world peace and protect the natural environment” insists Michael Shellenberger, the CEO of Environmental Progress, who also says that more people are killed in car accidents than by nuclear power.

The film follows this group of charismatic, passionate and articulate individuals, that includes scientists, academics and “mothers for nuclear”, as they protest, march and occupy a stand at Cop23 in 2017 in Bonn.

Not allowed a seat at the table they set up their own campaigning space outside the event — but it turns out to be a flop rather than the viral internet sensation they were hoping for.
They claim that studies have shown that eating a single banana gives you more radiation than living next to a nuclear power plant for a year, and that global demand for energy will double or even triple by the middle of this century.  

Although on the whole they seem to make a compelling argument (bananas notwithstanding) their assertions are not challenged during the film. Nuclear energy isn’t recognised for its own massive carbon footprint in terms of the huge costs of building new reactors and the toxic waste they produce, as well as the mining of the uranium and thorium needed to fuel them.

And — as the film shows — whenever nuclear energy is mentioned to the public the first thing that people associate with it are the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters, so Atomic Hope will always be a hard sell.

But it remains a fascinating film which does not make judgements but leaves it up to the viewer, and hopes to be a springboard for more informed debate in our need to stop climate change.
 
Out in cinemas today.