Chernobyl 4 Ever

The nuclear energy industry has an obvious answer to the query “name three things you want to forget”: Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and the Fukushima nuclear accidents. To like nuclear energy, you have to forget its dark face. That’s why it is no surprise that they are trying to delete the Chernobyl accident from our memories, even after 26 years.

Filmed 25 years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, “Chernobyl 4 Ever”, a documentary by Alain de Halleux, looks into what has happened since 1986 in Ukraine and the ongoing effects of the accident. The current state of the anti-radioactive pollution efforts and the concrete structure to prevent radioactive leakage, namely the “Sarcophagus” that is now being renewed are the themes of the film. While handling these issues, the film also discusses the commitments by the international donors as well as the role of the nuclear energy companies in the technical work carried out to end the ongoing disaster.      

Generation of 1986 

Another facet of the film is that it lends an ear to the young people who were born in Ukraine in 1986. The viewer’s attention is drawn to the fact that the generation of ‘86 is less and less interested in the results of Chernobyl, as well as to the success of the nuclear industry in burying the memories of the accident it created. Just like in Turkey... 

Alain de Halleux has a 30-year long career in journalism and directing. He worked in conflict zones and filmed a series of documentaries related to the rights of the Gypsies and nuclear energy. The narration in the documentary reflects the influence of his vast experience. Shown in Turkey, with the contributions of the Heinrich Boell Stiftung Foundation Turkey Representation and the Green European Foundation, the film received very positive feedback from viewers. Years after the accident, great similarities can be found in the interest or the non-interest on the issue shown by the young people who were born in Turkey and by their peers in Ukraine.

The nuclear industry has been on the rise again in recent years with the belief that they managed to make people forget about the Chernobyl disaster. Many countries have been discussing erecting new nuclear power plants and extending the operational periods of the existing ones. However, the disaster in Fukushima reminded everyone of the dark face of nuclear energy and Chernobyl once again. This documentary provides an important contribution to the nuclear energy debates. It makes us remember once again how long-lasting and immeasurable the effects of the nuclear energy generation are, a method with fatal consequences. This is what we should do in order not to forget: Remember!