The nuclear technology debate returns. Narrations about nuclear power in post-Fukushima Japanese and Western films The widespread debate concerning the Fukushima fallout, the future of the Japanese reactors and, last but not least, the suffering, fears and social problems the nation has to face, influenced also the Japanese cinema. The artists’ responses to the incident and its aftermath that is still being felt, resulted in the cinematic wake that happened surprisingly quickly after the catastrophe. The narratives about nuclear power, even though considered as taboo that should not be crossed when the memories of the tragedy are still alive, are constructed in the way to confront the social fears and give the viewers (also around the world) the clues how to understand its reasons and results, as well as how to perceive nuclear technology after such huge catastrophe. The recurring pictures that can be found in most of the post-Fukushima films are the depictions …show more content…
Furthermore, an important comment comes also from the western directors, among whom should be mentioned Alain de Halleux (Welcome to Fukushima, 2013), Doris Dörrie (Grüße aus Fukushima, 2016) and Matteo Gagliardi (Fukushima: A Nuclear Story, 2015). The main purpose of the proposed paper is to analyze the narratives about nuclear power in Fukushima-related Japanese and Western film productions in the context of the directors’ personal points of views on the issue and the impact of their works on Japanese society. I would like to deliberate on the problem how the filmmakers present nuclear technology, how they compare March 2011 events to World War II nuclear technology usage and how the fact that the tragedy is still alive in the memories of the audience influences the presented
As the monster Gojira came lumbering over the buildings of Tokyo on the big screen in 1954, director Ishiro Honda saw his dream of seeing a film focused on the devastation of nuclear weapons play out. Although, his film could not clearly be about the devastation, his symbolism of the monster as the atomic bomb was clear to all Japanese, even if it was not clear to foreigners viewing the film. The film, Gojira, and its many reiterations over the years, is a result of the atomic attacks that took place almost a decade previous, the following occupation and continued use of nuclear weapons by the United States, the lingering anxieties had towards these nuclear weapons and the censorship that encased Japan after the United States occupation. As
In this rhetorical analysis by Tamar Demby, argues about Anne Applebaum attempt to persuade the audience from further expansion of nuclear power wasn't quite factional ,but more emotional. Applebaum did fail to give specific evidence that might have supported her argument, but she did ,however, alarmed her readers with issues as Chernobyl that can quickly switch a person's train of thought and think more about the problem thats happened in that city instead of the argument. Demby did clarify that Applebaum should have attempted with more of a visual viewpoint by addressing solid evidence instead of trying to highlight the strengths of the Japanese by using words as;"cohesiveness,resilience, technological brilliance and extraordinary competence."
The crises to which this work responds was the total annihilation of Hiroshima and the aftershock experienced by those left
However, the discussion of whether the bomb should have been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki still continues. What would happen if the bombs were never dropped? Was it right to incinerate not only soldier, but also innocent civilians? These rhetorical questions may never be answered, but analyzing the effects and possible theories could lead to a conclusion. Furthermore, Hiroshima illustrates the personal incidents to help the audience understand and feel the individual’s physiological and emotional trauma: to cause the reader to feel like they are personally at Hiroshima or
When people hear the term “nuclear energy”, the first thing that jumps to their minds is most often “danger”. Who could blame the world for their intense fears of nuclear power, especially after reading the reports from Dr. Ira Helfand and the American writer, David Biello? Dr. Helfand’s article, “Radiation’s Risk to Public Health”, attacks the nuclear energy with facts and concerns like those of the National Research Council BEIR VI report. Whereas Dr. Helfand supports his claims with scientific evidence, David Biello only had a script from a discussion that followed the Fukushima crisis. David Biello’s article, “How Safe Are U.S. Nuclear Reactors? Lessons from Fukushima”, he uncovers secret concerns and future plans about the incredibly disastrous incident. Although David Biello used credible sources and attempted to appeal to ethos, logos, and pathos, Dr. Ira Helfand contains an authority in his education and knows a great deal more about nuclear power and definitely has the best representation of ethos, logos, and pathos.
On March 14, 2011, Anne Applebaum created an account of the events that had occurred earlier that day in Japan. She recalled the shattering earthquake that followed a tsunami and destroyed towns such as Rikuzentakata, a town of 25,000 people (Applebaum 229). The earthquake also agitated Fukushima Daiichi, one of Japan’s nuclear power complexes. Unfortunately, all three reactors lost their ability to cool the steaming water and had to be flooded. The seawater effectively destroyed the plant before more explosions occurred. As a result, radioactive steam had to be released. Applebaum glorified the Japanese in their “technological brilliance” and their ability to cope in extreme circumstances (Applebaum 230). Although the regulations are strict
Hiroshima presents a cold and clear picture of the events and lives of those affected by the terrible disaster that ravaged the city. Although the facts and statistics present an accurate portrait, it leads to somewhat detached narration. And the constant switch between characters deprives the reader from getting too attached to the lives of any of the six protagonists. Sharply contrasting with The Book Thief, were the focus is on a single character, with a cast of supporting ones, leads the reader to become more invested in the
Living through a nuclear explosion can be one of the scariest things to happen, because the trauma is carried with people throughout the rest of their lives, making daily tasks difficult. In the short story “Grace Period” by Will Baker, a man experienced the trauma of living through the beginning effects of a nuclear explosion. There are many clues that identify what is happening to the man in the story and what will happen to him; although nuclear bombs, and weapons are a horrifying subject, it is important to address and know what is happened around the world and what is happening at the moment in some countries. The article “Nuclear Weapon Effects” helps understand the stages of a nuclear bomb, and the clues that one could have been dropped, it is useful to know what the stages because if not it could be difficult to comprehend what is happening in the story.
Additionally, Devil’s Tango presents the theme of destruction, as these nuclear incidents are related to man made causes. Factual evidence is presented that GE knew of the reactor’s faulty design and TEPCO’s disregard of reports for maintenance to be upgraded and parts to be replaced. Throughout the work, Pineda highlights day by day the results of the incident and the continual failure for corrective action to be taken. Relating the facts surrounding the incident to a greater theme of awareness, Pineda draws attention to the danger and destruction nuclear energy presents to the environment.
When an 9.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Japan on March 11th, 2011, it was the first of a series of horrific events that Japan would be forced to endure. Many homes, families, properties, and belongings were lost on that day. And when the tsunami rolled over the island, many believed that it was over for them. Not only had people’s lives been put in disarray and desolation, but there had not even been simple necessities available. Food. Water. Communications. And electricity. When the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant had been hit by the earthquake and tsunami, the reactors were shut down and so was the electricity. Over the course of months the reactors suffered, extreme heat, fires, hydrogen explosions, and radiation exposures. At the time,
“Surveying the gigantic monster movies that flourished in the years since Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Sontag concluded that “a mass trauma exists over the use of nuclear weapons and the possibility of future nuclear wars”. (Tsutsui, pg.240) The paranoia of a possible future nuclear war penetrated the American’s mental freedom. Weapons like nuclear bombs and atomic testing spiked fear
The documentary film “Atomic Café” is a combination of various archival material from different sources such as newsreel clips, United States (US)-government made films, television shows and radio programs. The film began with the development and testing of the atomic bomb, along with various other demonstration and information clips involving nuclear testing. The collection of short films shared a similar characteristic – that is the government’s efforts to rationalize the use of nuclear weapons and reassure the general public that those weapons are of no threat to their well-being, health and safety. The power of the US has on a global scale was demonstrated throughout the documentary as it began with the testing of the first atomic bomb – “Trinity Test”, accompanied by an ominous music, suggesting the imminent dangerous eventualities, which could likely be the rising power of the US.
On August 6th, 1945 Akihiro Takahashi, a 14-year old boy, never made it to school. Instead, he was engulfed in a “tremendous heat” and left on the side of a Hiroshima street to watch his own flesh melt off his body (Takahashi). Later that week, despite surviving the dropping of the atomic bomb on her city, Eiko Taoka would watch helplessly as her infant son died of radiation poisoning--something she blames herself for to this day (Taoka). There are thousands of stories like these, and each one describes the incredible destructive power behind atomic weapons and the deep wounds they leave behind. Even now, seventy years after that fateful day, writers and filmmakers utilize the terror induced by the thought of atomic warfare in their
Nuclear energy is the energy released by a nuclear reaction, it uses fuel made from mined and processed uranium to generate heat and electricity. It is the world’s largest emission free energy source. Nuclear energy also has the lowest impact on the environment than other energy sources. But it can still be very harmful because of the radiation is causes and the radioactive waste it produces. Radioactive wastes are the ruins of nuclear materials that are used in providing nuclear energy. These wastes contain high levels of radiation that can be very hazardous to humans and the environment. Some people accept and support the idea of using nuclear energy and others don’t. In the following paragraphs, some major nuclear accidents and the public acceptance of nuclear energy will be discussed.
On March 11th, 2011, the northern section of Japan was hit by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 15 meter tsunami, causing the death of over 15000 people. (Spacey) Even though the earthquake and the tsunami caused a tremendous amount of deaths in the northern region of Japan, the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear power plant caused a severe damage to northern Japan’s ecosystem that people still cannot go back to their homes; despite it is 4 years after the disaster. After the earthquake, the tsunami destroyed the power supply used by Fukushima’s three nuclear power stations, causing severe levels of meltdown to be occurred inside the reactors in the timespan of 3 days. It was not until 2 weeks after the tragedy, when the reactors were finally stabilized, and took several months to approach what is called a “cold shutdown condition”, in which the fission in the reactors are completely stopped.(Fukushima A)