ST. GEORGE — 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. Exposing the dark reality of these detonations is the award-winning film “Downwind,” which will be offered free on Saturday, May 11, at 3 p.m., at The Lorraine Boccardo Theater at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta.
A free screening will be followed by a panel discussion with questions and answers featuring St. George News reporter Stephanie DeGraw, who will serve as moderator for the following panelists: Dave Crete, chairman for the nonprofit The Invisible Enemy; Carmen Valdez, policy associate for Heal Utah; “Downwind” co-director Mark Shapiro; and Claudia Peterson, Cary MacArthur and Delna Gates, all who offer unique perspectives on the concept of downwinders.
One of this year’s original Oscar-qualifiers, “Downwind” has won several awards on the festival circuit.
In the wake of “Oppenheimer,” “Downwind” exposes the U.S. government’s 928 nuclear detonations from 1951-92 at the Nevada Test Site and the ongoing impact of radioactive fallout on countless communities — and the environment, according to a news release.
Narrated by iconic anti-nuclear activist Martin Sheen, “Downwind” features two-time Oscar-winner Michael Douglas and political satirist Lewis Black. Actor Matthew Modine is the executive producer.
“Downwind” also includes the inspirational, real stories of prominent “downwinders” who live in the path of radioactive fallout including Claudia Peterson (from St. George), Mary Dickson and Ian Zabarte, Principle Man of the Western Bands of the Shoshone Nation of Indians. Roughly the size of the state of Rhode Island, the Nevada Test Site sits on Shoshone land, by treaty, yet it still remains occupied, restricted — and operational., the news release states.
Of “Downwind,” critic Leonard Maltin wrote: “I urge you to check out ‘Downwind.’ It’s a compelling and sobering documentary.”
Watch the trailer below.