Ben Fogle: Inside Chernobyl
Spoilers or thorough insight alert.
Following the spectacular Chernobyl series with Jared Harris there has been an increase in interest about the 1986 nuclear plant disaster and the Exclusion Zone. And so it is not surprising to see a new documentary capitalising on the success of the 2019 series. I am mindful of the monumental effort put into producing Chernobyl and I need to be objective in my rating of Ben Fogle's "Inside Chernobyl" documentary to allow for a proportionate appraisal.
I thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal: 1. of the time that stood still in a once vibrant city, 2. of the powerful flora and fauna overtaking the vast spaces, 3. of generations of people rooted and rooting for this land (survivors, workers, illegal hikers, adrenaline junkies) 4. and lastly the unique access to and sight of the hospital basement, the plant itself, the functional twin reactor no 3 and the haunting scene from the now defunct control room and reactor no 4.
The notion of special permits, time limits and geiger meters only adds to the dreary, chilling atmosphere.
We are so privileged to be able see the drone footage. It helps embrace the soul of this place.
My reservations: I was somewhat surprised that no enhanced respiratory personal protective equipment was required. A simple FFP3 mask or valved mask didn't seem reassuring and sufficient a protection.
Passing through the radiation detector at the end of the day without showing increased levels of picked up radioactive dust seemed also a bit outlandish and perhaps propaganda? I would have expected showers for everyone to clean off the dust and particles.
Having met the illegal hikers, Ben seemed to embrace the activity as a means of coming to terms with the history and bridging with the contemporary need to post on social media. I felt some nonchalance about it without deeper insight as to the consequences of these activities, both illegal and dangerous. The comment about someone slipping from heights and losing their life last year seemed to be just made in passing.
I think a side note is needed: This is a real disaster zone, contaminated for hundreds of years to come. The current sarcophagus may be sealed for a few more decades but it too will start seeping through. This is not Berlin Wall, where it was permissible to take or buy a brick. This is a radioactive Titanic or Hiroshima. Everything taken from there will emit invisible force to be reckoned with.
So in a way, I am very grateful for this documentary. It is thought provoking. It brings back the memories from my childhood. It begs for a question whether it was necessary for Ben and the cameramen to stay there for a whole week only for an hour of screening time footage? Let's just hope their health will not be affected.
Inside Chernobyl = a solid 7 /10 from me as Chernobyl (2019) had a 12/10.
Following the spectacular Chernobyl series with Jared Harris there has been an increase in interest about the 1986 nuclear plant disaster and the Exclusion Zone. And so it is not surprising to see a new documentary capitalising on the success of the 2019 series. I am mindful of the monumental effort put into producing Chernobyl and I need to be objective in my rating of Ben Fogle's "Inside Chernobyl" documentary to allow for a proportionate appraisal.
I thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal: 1. of the time that stood still in a once vibrant city, 2. of the powerful flora and fauna overtaking the vast spaces, 3. of generations of people rooted and rooting for this land (survivors, workers, illegal hikers, adrenaline junkies) 4. and lastly the unique access to and sight of the hospital basement, the plant itself, the functional twin reactor no 3 and the haunting scene from the now defunct control room and reactor no 4.
The notion of special permits, time limits and geiger meters only adds to the dreary, chilling atmosphere.
We are so privileged to be able see the drone footage. It helps embrace the soul of this place.
My reservations: I was somewhat surprised that no enhanced respiratory personal protective equipment was required. A simple FFP3 mask or valved mask didn't seem reassuring and sufficient a protection.
Passing through the radiation detector at the end of the day without showing increased levels of picked up radioactive dust seemed also a bit outlandish and perhaps propaganda? I would have expected showers for everyone to clean off the dust and particles.
Having met the illegal hikers, Ben seemed to embrace the activity as a means of coming to terms with the history and bridging with the contemporary need to post on social media. I felt some nonchalance about it without deeper insight as to the consequences of these activities, both illegal and dangerous. The comment about someone slipping from heights and losing their life last year seemed to be just made in passing.
I think a side note is needed: This is a real disaster zone, contaminated for hundreds of years to come. The current sarcophagus may be sealed for a few more decades but it too will start seeping through. This is not Berlin Wall, where it was permissible to take or buy a brick. This is a radioactive Titanic or Hiroshima. Everything taken from there will emit invisible force to be reckoned with.
So in a way, I am very grateful for this documentary. It is thought provoking. It brings back the memories from my childhood. It begs for a question whether it was necessary for Ben and the cameramen to stay there for a whole week only for an hour of screening time footage? Let's just hope their health will not be affected.
Inside Chernobyl = a solid 7 /10 from me as Chernobyl (2019) had a 12/10.
