In the town of Richland, Washington, a unique and complex history has shaped its identity. Established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, Richland was initially a company town built to support the nearby Hanford Nuclear Site, which played a crucial role in producing weapons-grade plutonium during World War II. Today, Richland stands as a testament to the intertwined legacies of scientific advancement, nuclear power, and the human cost of these endeavors.
The documentary film, directed by Irene Lusztig, explores the multifaceted story of Richland with depth and sensitivity. Lusztig delves into the town’s past through a thoughtfully crafted composite portrait, combining new interviews, archival footage, music, poetry, and art. The result is a powerful and haunting exploration of the town’s history and the lives of its inhabitants.
One of the central themes of the documentary is the impact of the Hanford Nuclear Site on the health and well-being of the people who lived and worked in Richland. Many of the fathers who held good-paying jobs at the Hanford site died prematurely from cancers linked to radiation exposure. The health of those living downwind of the facility was also affected. The film highlights these tragic consequences through poignant interviews and chilling archival footage of radioactivity experiments on farm animals.
The documentary also delves into the psychological and moral complexity of living in a company town built around the production of weapons of mass destruction. Richland residents grapple with the cognitive dissonance of embracing a job that offers a decent living while ignoring or accepting the life-threatening risks it presents. One former Hanford janitor, who now runs a food truck, even justifies the bombing of Nagasaki as necessary for preserving the United States.
Lusztig’s film goes beyond the immediate impact of the Hanford Nuclear Site and explores the long-lasting consequences for the Native tribes who were displaced from their ancestral lands. Through interviews with members of the Wanapum tribe, the documentary sheds light on broken promises and the loss of their connection to the land. It also highlights efforts by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation to restore the area around Hanford, planting native plants in uncontaminated areas.
Throughout the film, Lusztig weaves together the personal stories of Richland residents with poetry from Kathleen Flenniken’s book, Plume. By having Richland natives read Flenniken’s poems onscreen, the film creates a powerful emotional connection to the town’s history and its enduring impact on the lives of its inhabitants.
The documentary also celebrates the resilience and creativity of the Richland community. It includes a choral performance of Nuclear Dreams, a work that captures the yearning for reconciliation and acknowledgment of grief. The film also showcases the ethereal beauty of artwork by Yukiyo Kawano, a third-generation survivor of the atomic bomb, and the protest song Termination Winds by Linda Allen.
In its exploration of Richland, Lusztig’s documentary offers a nuanced and honest portrayal of a town grappling with the complex legacies of its nuclear past. It acknowledges the joys and successes of the community while bringing the pain and loss into the light. By highlighting the stories of individuals and the collective memory of a town, the film serves as a reminder of the profound impact of scientific and technological advancements on human lives.
