Atomic Hope (2022) review: Science from the heart as well as the head

Chances are, you know someone – or at least know someone who knows someone – who cares deeply about the future of our planet. The truth is we all should, but what’s more debatable is how much we can actually achieve and by what means? While Atomic Hope nails the colours of the pro-nuclear movement to the mast, Irish filmmaker Frankie Fenton certainly doesn’t present them in an I’m-right-you’re-wrong kind of way.

After all, much of science is opinion. Whilst it would be easy to label this feature-length documentary as brave and controversial, much like the subject it depicts, what’s really good about it is it’s just downright refreshing. Compelling arguments abound with no hint whatsoever of being over-zealous.

We can go no further without a bit of background. The pro-nuclear movement emerged in the early noughties, at a time when it had only just been decided which planet Greta Thunberg would inhabit. A small band of people began to publicly advocate for nuclear energy as a way to combat climate change. Over the intervening years this has spawned official organisations such as Generation Atomic and Energy for Humanity. Progress has been at a snail’s pace, but things are far from stagnant with a few significant victories to show for all the hard work.

Some of the facts are stark and do a grand job of adding credence to the cause. Yet, as the film is at pains to point out sometimes, they’re no match for people’s preconceived notions and clouded judgement about nuclear energy. Therefore, the main aim of the movement is to educate the public and alter their perception. Ask yourself and be honest: what instantly springs to mind when you hear the word ‘nucleur’? It could possibly be Mr. Burns’ plant in The Simpsons (and yes, the show does receive a mention), but it’s probably something more sinister. Chernobyl, Hiroshima, nuclear war and weapons, are all indelibly marked into our history and psyche.

In terms of production, editing, cinematography and the rest, there’s not that much to write home about at first glance. However, it’s not overly long (a little over 80 minutes) and is put together and presented in a way that means it never tires and really gets the message across, with enough context to ensure that we get it. Fenton has followed members all around the globe; San Francisco to Zurich, Adelaide to Portsmouth, to name but four cities. This really enables Atomic Hope to get to the emotional core of why the movement is important, and marks it out as a genuine work of passion.

You could argue that it isn’t all that educational, or that Fenton has deliberately avoided blinding us with science – perhaps the main aim is to deal with the visceral rather than cerebral. Atomic Hope is a proper game of two halves, with the first part outlining the cause whilst the second is all about the struggle. It’s science from the heart rather than just the head, which, along with the peaceful way it’s projected through the medium of film, could win them just as much support as the facts they present.

When you contrast this with the aggressive tactics and cult-like following of Extinction Rebellion, it does make you wonder if the pro-nuclear movement’s deliberate attempts not to brainwash are what’s actually holding it back. Whatever the reason, it remains a very small community but maybe one with a big future – we’ll see. Atomic Hope is out in cinemas from February 17.