The nuclear fuel cycle poses a silent and enduring threat to the environment and public health. From hazardous uranium mining on indigenous lands to the lasting legacy of atomic weapons, the risks are immense. Yet, the global public often remains unaware of the full impact of radioactive materials. This lack of education leaves vulnerable communities to carry the burden of contamination alone while the true costs of the atomic age stay hidden.
Norbert Suchanek offers a creative solution to this problem. As the General Director and Co-Founder of the International Uranium Film Festival, he uses cinema to educate the public about the entire nuclear fuel chain. We sat down with Norbert to discuss the festival’s mission, the role of documentary filmmaking in environmental justice, and how audiences can uncover the secrets of the nuclear story.
Q: You founded the International Uranium Film Festival in 2010 alongside Márcia Gomes de Oliveira. What specific events or realizations drove you to create a film festival entirely dedicated to nuclear issues?
Norbert Suchanek: I have been working as a journalist for environment and science since 1988 and know the issue for a long time. In 2006, I was part of the Indigenous World Uranium Summit (IWUS) in Window Rock, Navajo Nation. There we watched the film “The Return of Navajo Boy” by Jeff Spitz on uranium mining on Navajo land. It was very moving: And I thought, we have to show these films to all people and to give them a wider audience. So the idea of the Uranium Film Festival came up.
Q: The festival covers the entire nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mining to radioactive waste. Why is it so crucial for the public to understand this process from cradle to grave rather than just focusing on power plant disasters?
Norbert Suchanek: Nuclear energy does not begin at the reactor unit, and the risk of radioactivity is not limited to nuclear accidents. If you look only at the power plant, you see no carbon emissions; however, the nuclear reactor is merely one small part of a long, complex chain of processes that certainly do release CO2. This chain begins with uranium mining—which is also where the radioactive risk arises. Millions of tons of radioactive waste are generated through the mining and processing of uranium. And what shall we do with the radioactive waste produced by nuclear power plants? People need to be informed about all of this, because it is taxpayers’ money that pays the bill. And it is the public that consumes the electricity generated by nuclear power.
Q: Many films featured in the festival highlight the impact of uranium mining on indigenous populations, such as the Navajo Nation. How does the festival help amplify these marginalized voices on a global stage?
Norbert Suchanek: The festival provides not only an audience but also a global platform for films about the consequences of uranium mining, the nuclear industry, and nuclear weapons testing for Indigenous peoples such as the Navajo and the Western Shoshone. Furthermore, the best films receive our film award, which in turn raises their global profile and helps to be shown at other film festivals or be screened by television stations or streaming platforms. In addition we invite the filmmakers to present their and also the nuclear victims to present their cause personally.
Q: Film is a unique medium for education. How do you balance the need to share heavy, scientific facts about radioactivity with the art of engaging documentary storytelling?
Norbert Suchanek: As a science journalist, my job is to describe complex matters in a way that the general public can understand. Documentaries can do the same. When you combine that with art and compelling documentary storytelling, you get an outstanding film worthy of an award. Of course, there are films that focus solely on the human side of the nuclear chain. But when scientific facts come into play, we verify their accuracy. That is part of our film selection process; our festival has no room for fakes or incorrect facts.
Q: Since its inception in Rio de Janeiro, the festival has traveled to several countries, including the United States, Germany, and India. How do different international audiences react to the stark realities of the atomic age?
Norbert Suchanek: People are all the same everywhere; skin color or culture play no role. Audiences are moved by the films and are sometimes even shocked. And sometimes people come after the screenings to us saying that they have learned a lot today.
The difference between countries lies in media coverage. It is often very difficult to get reports on the festival in the US or Germany. Major media outlets do not want to pick up the story of the Uranium Film Festival and its films, because the festival deals with an uncomfortable subject. In contrast, when we toured India, there was media coverage in every city—from the press to television—and journalists conducted interviews about the festival, just as you are doing now.
Q: Looking ahead, what is your ultimate vision for the International Uranium Film Festival, and how can everyday citizens support your mission for global nuclear awareness?
Norbert Suchanek: The ultimate vision is to become as globally renowned and prestigious as the Cannes Film Festival, and to become the “Atomic Cannes”. The topics and the committed filmmakers we showcase deserve this recognition. Nuclear energy, nuclear waste, and their consequences are life-threatening issues of critical importance to everyone on this planet – and for many future generations. People can support us by attending the festival or by making a film that we may screen. And beside that: we welcome any donation. To get financial support is the hardest part of running a film festival like ours.
Cannes, too, was not a famous event at the start; it took around ten years of hard work and growing sponsorship support to get there. So, we can do it, too.
This discussion highlights the vital intersection of art and environmental justice. Film has the unique ability to transcend borders and language barriers, making complex nuclear issues accessible and emotionally resonant. By bringing untold stories to the screen, the festival honors the victims of the atomic age and empowers viewers with critical knowledge.
The need for clear, factual information about the nuclear fuel chain will only grow as the world navigates the future of energy production and global security. Platforms that merge cinema with activism are essential for holding industries accountable and protecting future generations. Initiatives championed by Norbert Suchanek and the International Uranium Film Festival ensure that the realities of the atomic age remain in the public eye, driving informed discussions and lasting change.
To learn more visit https://uraniumfilmfestival.org/en