The Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred on 26 April 1986 in the north of the Ukrainian USSR and is considered to be the worst nuclear disaster in history. Covered up by Soviet officials at the time, the true number of deaths and illnesses are still unclear. The UN predicts that up to 4,000 people could eventually die as a result of radiation exposure.

Although it’s called The Exclusion Zone, Chernobyl’s landscape is evolving three decades after the disaster. Our documentary explores the distinct new subculture that has emerged in the Zone and follows the illegal hiking adventurers (aka “stalkers”), extreme sports aficionados, artists, and tour companies as they explore anew the ghostly, post-apocalyptic landscape.

Unfortunately, Chernobyl has been thrust into the headlines in the last two months due to Russia’s horrific invasion of Ukraine. For several weeks, Russia’s army took control of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and held Ukrainian workers at the plant against their will. Electricity to the plant was intermittently cut off, creating a potentially dangerous situation with the radioactive material still stored there. Meanwhile, Russian troops dug trenches and bulldozed the soil, potentially releasing significant amounts of harmful radioactive dust. The full extent of Russia’s activities in the Zone are still unknown, as their troops scattered mines that the Ukrainian military are still uncovering. As the war continues, we find ourselves asking difficult questions about topics such as the feasibility of nuclear power, our society’s insatiable hunger for energy and consumption, and about the ethics of turning sites of historical tragedies into tourist destinations. 

We hope you will take this opportunity to check out the documentary and set aside time to reflect on Chernobyl Remembrance Day. We have compiled more online Chernobyl resources and nuclear expert opinions here.
 

in solidarity,
iara lee – founder/ director