Northern Territory News

Thursday 3 November 2005

Page: 23

Author: Flora Liveris

Atomic outback

Nuclear history revealed

Filmmakers Greg Young and Kathy Aigner say everyone in the world should see their documentary Australian Atomic Confessions.

The 50-minute doco reveals the impact of nuclear activity in Australia from the British atomic bomb tests at the Monte Bello Islands in the 1950’s, to the present day.

“It’s most definitely something that the whole world should see.”

Australian Atomic Confessions will have it’s premier in the NT tonight.

It features eyewitness accounts from nomadic Aboriginal survivors and military servicemen revealing the true story of what happened during the 12 British atomic bomb tests in Australia.

“It looks at Australia’s unknown participation,” they said.

“It’s a people’s film. There is no narrative, it’s dialogue driven.

“It’s not an objective film, most of these incidences have already happened. It’s the straight facts from people who were there.”

Also documented in this film is the successful fight of the Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta women against the nuclear waste dump on their traditional land in South Australia.

“It’s very topical at the moment,” said Young who co-wrote the film.

The screening will also launch the book Talking Straight Out – stories from the Irati Wanti campaign.

Speakers include Arrernte traditional owner Benedict Stevens, senior custodian of a Central Australian site threatened with a waste facility.

“It’s a tough one and a subject people like to avoid but it needs to be talked about.”

Pic of women – A scene from the documentary Australian Atomic Confessions, which is showing tonight at the Deckchair Cinema