Chernobyl Series: The Enemy Is Man
Chernobyl became the hit of the season. The miniseries are about the most serious nuclear disaster in history and questioned some of the decisions that were made during those fateful days.
Its importance has been such that inevitably we think about our present and the consequences that could result from a man-made environmental disaster. Who are the responsibles ? Who are the victims ?
Chernobyl plunges us into the horror that was experienced following this already distant April 26, 1986, but the consequences of which are still palpable. A ghost town, thousands of shattered lives and a government whose top priority was to shut up. This political and tragic framework is what Chernobyl offers us , a story of heroes, but also of errors and silences.
The aftermath of a disaster
Although the title of our article is not very encouraging, great men have averted an even greater catastrophe, genuine heroes that the series has tried to honor. The drama, which had already been half-buried in the past, has risen from its ashes and is now on everyone’s lips.
We all know, more or less, what was and what involved the nuclear accident at the Vladimir Ilich Lenin center in the vicinity of Pripyat (Ukraine). This event triggered the alert on the dangers of a nuclear accident. This energy, although one of the cleanest, has become a terrifying enemy.
This has been the subject of much debate. The USSR was in the spotlight and the press fed rumors about diseases, mutations and the consequences of radioactivity.
Various researchers have postulated that the consequences were not as fatal as they had suggested and that giving an approximate figure for the number of victims is really difficult. However, some studies warn of an increase in thyroid cancer in the nearest areas, an increase that would result from the accident.
Svetlana Aleksievich collected some testimonies from survivors in Voices of Chernobyl . The book greatly fueled HBO’s new success: Chernobyl . From the hand of a scriptwriter anchored in a rather absurd comedy, Craig Mazin, and a music video director, Johan Renck, has arisen the unexpected, a sober, tragic and overwhelming series.
Chernobyl: the keys to success
The Chernobyl series is very qualitative in almost all areas. The time is perfectly represented and the events are told in a calm manner.
The three main characters come to life thanks to the fantastic performances of Jared Harris as Valery Legásov, Stellan Skarsgård as Boris Scherbina and Emily Watson as Ulana Khomyuk.
The first two are responsible for putting themselves in the shoes of two fundamental characters in the history of the disaster, while the character of Ulana Khomyuk responds to a tribute to all the scientists who supported Legásov.
Chernobyl presents us with two fundamental plots. On the one hand, we have a clearly political plot in which the strings of the USSR are revealed, the secrecy and deception to which the population has been subjected. On the other hand, we have the victims and the heroes of April 26, 1986.
Chernobyl presents us with a reality that goes beyond all fiction in a dramatic way, but without deviating from the intrigues of power and secrecy of the Soviet Union. In addition, the series uses certain elements that could easily be found in a horror film.
Realistic style
In this cool-colored miniseries, there isn’t much room for hope. The Soviet Union is represented by this coldness. But, even in the midst of a disaster, some characters manage to shed some light.
There is the selfless courage of minors, the sacrifice of volunteers, that of firefighters… In short, the courage of ordinary men who risked their lives to save the lives of thousands of others.
Why is Chernobyl a success? Mainly, because the series touches our consciousness. It brings us back to a historical past that is still very close, the trace of which has not been totally eliminated from our minds. A past that we remember, just as we remember Fukushima.
The presence of the invisible and silent killer is described in detail. Simply put, we understand the scale of the disaster. But let’s not forget that this is a British and American co-production. A version of events that was broadcast via a streaming platform. And that, apparently, the Russians did not like very much.
Chernobyl uses a cinematic language that we are very accustomed to, elements known to the general public. If we had to find a “but” it would probably be the fact that this series seems to appeal to everyone, and that the vision is not completely unbiased.
Although this is an exceptional series, we can see a touch of melodrama, a bit forced. And maybe a certain lack of depth with some supporting characters.
Despite everything, there is no doubt that this is a quality series, and that its success is well deserved. In addition, she succeeded in putting an issue back on the table that should not be forgotten.
Chernobyl: heroes and victims
Our hold on the world is devastating, it’s the feeling you get after seeing Chernobyl and doing a little research on the current state of the exclusion zone. Through heartbreaking scenes, we discovered that humans were not the only victims of the tragedy. There were other victims who had no voice.
We are referring to those animals that had to be euthanized. Some survived and gave birth to a fauna that grows and lives without our intervention despite the radioactivity. The series puts this terrible reality before our eyes. She shows us how those who really know how to live in nature have had to pay for it with their lives.
The show doesn’t leave behind the men who gave their lives to control the situation. We meet Vasily, a firefighter whose story is breathtaking. He is just one small example of what this human tragedy has caused.
Ultimately, the series is seen as a tribute to these heroes, victims of disaster and human selfishness. While pointing out those who have done nothing – or too little – to prevent this tragedy.
Through this series that takes us back to what was once the most dangerous place in the world, we realize the great lies that were told at the time. Above all, we understand that the most dangerous enemy was not radioactivity, but man.
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