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Pripyat

Pripyat

100' 1999
dir.: Nikolaus Geyrhalter

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The exclusion zone around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant 12 years after the great catastrophe. Abandoned towns, lunar landscapes of contaminated areas, endless cemeteries of irradiated machines - and people who, for various reasons, decided to live in a place that symbolizes danger to humanity. 

Twelve years after the largest disaster in the history of nuclear energy, the Austrian director records abandoned, overgrown cities, lunar landscapes of contaminated zones, and endless cemeteries of irradiated machines. In Geyrhalter's long, black-and-white shots, the Exclusion Zone around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant takes on a surreal, magical character, reminiscent of Tarkovsky's "Stalker." Conversations with locals show the true dimension of living in an environment unsuited to hosting life such as those with employees of the power plant, revealing shocking details of the chaotic rescue operation – and nostalgically reminiscing about the glory days of the USSR's model city. Some have been unable to leave for years due to bizarre bureaucratic obstacles. But there are also those who purposely chose the zone, irrespective of the deadly threat. 

Festivals

1999 Berlinale 
1999 Visions du Réel (Jury Award, Audience Award) 
1999 Karlovy Vary IFF 
1999 IDFA 
1999 TIFF

Tickets and passes
100' 1999 Austria
Director
Nikolaus Geyrhalter
Cinematography
Nikolaus Geyrhalter
Editing
Wolfgang Widerhofer
Production
Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion
Screenings