The Atomic Cafe

The Atomic Café is a compilation documentary film made from newsreel clips, television news footage, government-produced films, advertising films and television programs. Many of the films made by U.S. government agencies exaggerate or misrepresent the safety of nuclear radiation (e.g., telling troops at one point that it's safe to be irradiated as long as they keep their eyes and mouths shut). Unlike most historical documentaries, the film has no narration and is edited in a manner quite unconventional for its time.

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The movie was made during a five-year period by Jayne Loader, Kevin Rafferty, and Pierce Rafferty and released in April 1982. Its release coincided with a peak moment in the international disarmament movement, and the film received much greater distribution than other politically-oriented documentaries. It instantly became a cult classic, and greatly influenced documentary filmmaking.

Related Topics:
Jayne Loader - Kevin Rafferty - Pierce Rafferty

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A CD-ROM companion to The Atomic Cafe with many of the clips and other materials from the film is available at Public Shelter. An illustrated book based on the film was published by Ballantine Books shortly after the film's release.

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