March, 2024 Doc of the Month: DOWNWIND (2023)
We had a lot of fun last month with The Thief Collector, and I’d like to encourage everyone to engage in the comments if you haven’t done so yet. And if you haven’t watched the film , it’s not one to miss. But we’re onto a fresh month for The WALT and this documentary is a vast departure from the whimsy provided by Jerry & Rita Alter.
Every year, The Oscars are celebrated in March and since so much of 2023’s cinematic discussion was around Oppenheimer, it feels appropriate to offer a closer look at the greater impact of nuclear testing with the 2023 film DOWNWIND, directed by Mark Shapiro & Douglas Brian Miller.
DOWNWIND (2023)
Directed by Mark Shapiro & Douglas Brian Miller • 1h 34m
Hiroshima. Nagasaki. Mercury, Nevada? The latter was the site for the testing of 928 nuclear weapons on American soil from 1951 to 1992. The fallout is still lethally impacting Americans today. DOWNWIND features interviews with Michael Douglas, Lewis Black, and narration by Martin Sheen. Matthew Modine served as Executive Producer.
Trigger warnings
Archival footage involving animal cruelty during nuclear testing
Personal accounts of cancer-related fatalities at all ages
How to watch
DOWNWIND is availble for rent/purchase on most platforms. It is currently available on the following free streaming platforms.
Amazon Prime Video - HD ⊛
Roku - HD, free with ads
Vudu - HD, free with ads
Things to think about while watching the film
Do you know anyone who may have been impacted by nuclear testing on Nevada or otherwise?
What other stories aren’t being told about wrongdoing by the US government on our own soil?
How to engage
Either leave a comment here with your thoughts on the film or engage with the supplemental prompts, which you will receive shortly if you haven’t already. Using the Substack app? Check out the Notes & Chat section. Be sure to read what other people are saying and continue the conversation!
Paid Subscriber Perks
Paid subscribers will receive access to a video interview between myself and the two directors, Mark Shapiro & Douglas Brian Miller!
Additional posts with exclusive supplemental material.
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I found the topic of this doc to be disturbing but not surprising. Throughout the film I kept thinking, "Didn't we learn our lesson?" But the truth is they continued the testing program for years knowing the harm it was causing. I also thought the interviewer posed an interesting question, "Do you consider yourself and activist or a patriot?" I know how I'd answer.