blowing up paradise

Ben Lewis, England, 2005
Synopsis

If nuclear bombs hadn't been invented, the Moruroa atoll might have remained one of the world's last untouched islands with its white sands and blue seas. Instead, this idyllic setting is synonymous with 30 years of nuclear testing, with final tests being carried out to worldwide protest in 1995. Now, in the year of the 10th anniversary of the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, and the 60th anniversary of Hiroshima, comes the first ever historical documentary about the French nuclear tests in the Pacific. This is a rollercoaster of a story packed with massive nuclear explosions filmed in colour, proud French generals and presidents, idyllic tropical islands, adventure on the high seas, the tears of sick former tests workers and French soldiers, the bombs of radical terrorist cells and French spies, the struggle of an oppressed people for independence, environmental protest, riots and a city in flames. This is an atomic version of Paradise Lost. This is the French 'Radio Bikini.'

Credits
Director
Ben Lewis
Production
Fiona O'Doherty for Bergman Pictures
Co-Production
BBC - Storyville
TV 2
Involved TV Channel
VPRO
YLE
Selected for
Rithy Panh to present Top 10 at IDFA Cambodian director Rithy Panh (1964, Phnom Penh) is to compile this year’s IDFA Top 10. Rithy Panh broke through in 2003 with his documentary S21, The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine. His new film, l’Image Manquante, features in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes film festival, which begins this week.
Call for Entry IDFA Bertha Fund The IDFA Bertha Fund is looking for new creative documentary projects and documentary festivals from developing countries. The deadline to submit for the second selection round is May 15, 2013.
IDFA WorldView Summer School announces 2013 selection A total of 16 projects from participants all over the world have been selected for the sixth edition of the IDFA WorldView Summer School, which will take place July 1-6, 2013. The projects hail from 14 different countries and range from archive-driven narratives to stories shot in a cinema vérité style.
IDFA 2013 Film Entry now open! Submissions for IDFA 2013 can now be entered. Deadlines are May 1 (for documentaries completed before April 1) and August 1 (for documentaries completed after April 1).
SNS Reaal Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds