The Atomic Cafe (1982)

The Atomic Cafe: Directed by Jayne Loader, Kevin Rafferty, Pierce Rafferty. With Paul Tibbets, Harry S. Truman, W.H.P. Blandy, Brien McMahon. Disturbing collection of 1940s and 1950s United States government-issued propaganda films designed to reassure Americans that the atomic bomb was not a threat to their safety.

“I saw The Atomic Cafe in a theater when it was first released. Someone exclaimed derogatorily as they walked out on it. But I thought it was brilliant. Sort of a sub-genre of documentary, this one had no commentary, narrative or explanations for the material presented. No retroactive interviews with those who were there. It relied 100% on archival materials.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA few years back, I visited the Trinity Site (here in New Mexico) on the 50th anniversary of the first test of the bomb. Quite a few of those who were somehow involved back then and still living turned up for the event. So I did get to hear some hindsight comments. Definitely different than what was being said back then, and such commentary could have really changed the picture.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is a rare approach, and therefore thought provoking. One can argue that the choice of material, editing and music track impose some interpretation, and there may be something to that. Although itu0026#39;s unlikely that one could turn the story into something really different unless latter-day, hindsight interviews were added to provide a different spin.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBeing a u0026quot;Baby Boomeru0026quot;, I was born during the times depicted in the movie, and have some early memories of them. For those who were alive in that time, itu0026#39;s fascinating to see how it tweaks your memory. I, for one, didnu0026#39;t think deep thoughts about the u0026quot;duck and coveru0026quot; drills at school – it was just another thing that got us out of our seats, like fire drills and recess. But it does tweak memory, to bring back things not thought of for many years. Interesting to consider how oneu0026#39;s own memory is incomplete, wanders, can be influenced, etc. (Now, re-read Orwellu0026#39;s 1984.)u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBrilliant, and disturbing. Interesting to consider in light of current events (spring 2003).”