Uranium – Twisting the Dragon’s Tail

Uranium – Twisting the Dragon's Tail (2015) is a three-part television documentary series about uranium, its history and its uses. It was produced by Gene Pool Productions for PBS and SBS, and premiered on both networks in late July and August 2015. The series was shot in nine countries and is presented by Derek Muller, a physicist, engineer, and presenter on the ABC science program, Catalyst. Muller is also known for his YouTube channel, Veritasium.

Episodes

Part 1: The Rock that Became a Bomb

In the first episode, Derek Muller tells the story of uranium and how it came to be. It shows how uranium, originally sourced from pitchblende, became the subject of intense scientific study. The effects of radiation and how radioactive elements decay are also discussed, including some of the harmful effects of uranium, and how the element enabled a single bomb to devastate Hiroshima and its people at the end of World War II.

Part 2: The Rock that Changed the World

In Northern Australia indigenous people have ancient stories for the place where the uranium is found. They say a great creation spirit sleeps underground, and disturbing this spirit will unleash disaster. This episode explores how from the ashes of Hiroshima, uranium promised a new Atomic Age.The same power that destroyed the city was harnessed to generate unprecedented amounts of energy and treat cancer.

Part 3: The Rock in Our Future

The third and final episode purports that uranium saves lives, treats cancer and brings hope to millions with a promise of clean, limitless power. Dr Derek Muller visits Chernobyl and Fukushima, where uranium became a nightmare. The proposition that in our energy-hungry, warming world, uranium both tempts with unbelievable power and threatens all life on earth is explored- its dual roles as destroyer and saviour, dream and nightmare.

Premiere

The series premiered on 6 August 2015, the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. The SBS premiere in Australia occurred during a year-long inquiry into the possible expansion of nuclear industrialization in South Australia. The inquiry is known as the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. A period for public submissions to the Commission closed in the week prior to the screening of the series.^[1]

Response

The series attracted criticism from anti-nuclear activist Noel Wauchope, who described the series as "the latest glossy and highly sophisticated soft sell for the nuclear industry" as part of a lengthy analysis.^[2] Atomic energy expert Rod Adams gave it a largely favorable appraisal, describing it as "worth recommending to family, friends, acquaintances, students and strangers."^[3] Nuclear power advocate Geoff Russell described it as "mostly terrific" but was critical of its discussions of radiation and cancer.^[4]

‘...brilliantly written and directed by Wain Fimeri… presented with panache by Derek Muller… undoubtedly one of the most talented science communicators of our time...This is one not to be missed.’

Bill Condie, Cosmos Magazine

‘Brilliant… a superb series’.

Robyn Williams, The Science Show ABC Radio National.

Pick of the week, highlight of the day, Los Angles Times, Boston Globe, Newsday, USA Today, Washington Post, San Francisco Cronicle.

'I’ve never felt so nervous while watching a ...documentary before…I had to pause the video to make some tea just to calm down.’

Michigan Daily

‘…an enlightening, engaging film, with the cosmic history and chemistry of uranium well-explained. Muller's excitement over what's amazing can seem at odds with what is also horrifying… But you will see him scared, too.'

Robert Lloyd, Critics TV Picks Los Angeles Times

‘ “Uranium” is lively, engaging and informative ... a terrific - and slightly loopy - Muller tour of a single element. He's straight out of the school of Carl Sagan hosting - smart, lively, demonstrative, quirky. '

Verne Gay, Newsday

'The three-part documentary series gives the controversial element rock-star treatment….. Dr Muller’s journey also delves into the ancient Aboriginal Dreamtime and the fantastical nature of the element, resulting in a colourful and engaging journey about an extraordinary rock.’

Sunday Pick, Tiffany Fox, West Australian.

‘The mix of science, politics and pop culture makes for a tale that’s by turns terrifying and utopian, but never less than fascinating.’

Sunday Best, Karl Quinn, Sydney Morning Herald ‘

….the animated dragon during the alchemy scene was a truly magical scene. Watching the dragon change from one element to another really drove home the idea of uranium being a “natural shape shifter” and took the science momentarily into the world of fantasy.'

Kim Batchelor, The Michigan Daily

‘…a ripping adventure narrative… (has the) 'edge of the seat’ feeling of a supernatural thriller.’ ‘The series poses profound questions concerning the nature of good and evil…and whether we will ever be able to find the ability to balance the dream of limitless clean power with the nightmare of a silent poisoned Earth.’

The Australian, Graeme Blundell

Development

The project was in production and post-production for 12 months in preparation for the seventieth anniversary of the first detonation of a nuclear weapon, and the beginning of the atomic age. The project received investment from Film Victoria in March 2014.^[5][6] The project's treatment and presenter were taken to the Sunny Side of the Doc film festival and marketplace in France in 2014. The production team pitched the project at the annual EBU Science & Knowledge Pitch there and attracted ZDF/Arte (Germany/France) to join pre-existing broadcaster partners, PBS (USA) and SBS (Australia).^[7] The production has also been supported by Screen Australia.^[8]

Production team

The series is produced by Sonya Pemberton and presented by Derek Muller. It is written and directed by Wain Fimeri.^[9] Sonya Pemberton began working with Cordell Jigsaw Productions under the new name Gene Pool Productions in September 2011. Previous Gene Pool productions have covered topics including palmistry, paternity, breasts and vaccination.^[10] Wain Fimeri's previous documentary film works have included multiple projects about Australians at war and a series on the life and discoveries of Captain James Cook.^[11]

Advisors to the production include Dr Adrian "Adi" Paterson (Chief Executive, ANSTO), Carl-Magnus Larsson (Chief Executive, ARPANSA), Dr Peter Karamoskos (Treasurer, Medical Association for Prevention of War) and Adam Sharah (aboriginal anti-nuclear & peace activist).^[12]

References

1. ↑ "Home | Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission". nuclearrc.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 2015-06-29. 
2. ↑ "The half lie of the Dragon's Tail - On Line Opinion - 27/8/2015". Retrieved 2015-08-28. 
3. ↑ "Nova's "Uranium - Twisting the Dragon's Tail" - Atomic Insights". Retrieved 2015-08-28. 
4. ↑ "Twisting The Dragon's Tail: Cancer, Nuclear Power and Climate Change". New Matilda. Retrieved 2015-11-13. 
5. ↑ "Production Investment - Film Victoria". film.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2015-05-24. 
6. ↑ "WATCH ON TV - Film Victoria". www.film.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2015-08-28. 
7. ↑ "Sunny Side interviews Sonya Pemberton about our new series ‘Uranium’". Gene Pool Productions. Retrieved 2015-05-23. 
8. ↑ "Uranium - Twisting the Dragon's Tail (2015) | Find a Film | Screen Australia". www.screenaustralia.gov.au. Retrieved 2015-05-24. 
9. ↑ "Two New Science Programs Make Summer 2015 Debut – THE BOMB and URANIUM: Twisting the Dragon's Tail : PBS". www.pbs.org. Retrieved 2015-05-24. 
10. ↑ "Genepool Productions Television Projects". Genepool Productions. Retrieved 2015-05-24. 
11. ↑ "Search results for '"wain fimeri"' - Music, sound and video - Trove". trove.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 2015-05-24. 
12. ↑ "Uranium – Twisting the Dragon’s Tail | Programs". Retrieved 2015-08-31.