Countdown to Zero

Take part in COUNTDOWN TO ZERO, a full-length feature film that traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state of global affairs: nine nations possess nuclear weapons capabilities with others racing to join them, with the world held in a delicate balance that could be shattered by an act of terrorism, failed diplomacy, or a simple accident. Written and directed by acclaimed documentarian Lucy Walker (Devil’s Playground, Blindsight), the film features an array of important international statesmen, including Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Pervez Musharraf and Tony Blair. Magnolia Pictures is releasing the film in North America; HISTORY™ has North American broadcast rights. The film was produced by Academy Award® winner and 2009 nominee Lawrence Bender (Inglourious Basterds, An Inconvenient Truth) and developed, financed and executive produced by Participant Media, together with World Security Institute.

 

Showings of the movie "Countdown to Zero" begin on Friday, July 30, at a select theater near you.  We need to ensure a great turnout the first weekend to allow the film distributors to expand the showings in subsequent weeks.

 

Of course the Cold War is over, and we are all safe from nuclear weapons, right? Wrong! It is estimated that there are 23,000 nuclear weapons in the world today. There are now 9 nations with nuclear weapons, including North Korea, and possibly soon Iran. And Al Qaeda has announced its intention to obtain them and to use them, in maybe some convenient harbor on a lovely spring day. 

 

The film, "Countdown to Zero," by the Oscar-winning producer of  "An Inconvenient Truth" and "Inglorious Bastards", will begin its run on July 30. It shows the increasing threat and the several close calls . . . like the case of a man willing to exchange nuclear material for a new car! 

 

In the U.S. the strongest opposition to abolishing nuclear weapons used to come from the defense establishment. That opposition has now switched to support. Most of the former Secretaries of State and Defense, and Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff now advocate nuclear abolition for the sake of U.S. security. These leading voices include Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, William Perry, Colin Powell, and James Baker. In addition, for each of the last three years, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has voted unanimously, both Democrats and Republicans, to urge the President to initiate talks leading to nuclear abolition.

 

A first step in the right direction was taken recently when Russia and the U.S. signed the New START Treaty, which calls for a 30% cut in long-range nuclear weapons. More significant, it has a strong verification system, so both sides can be assured that the other is not cheating. It still needs to be ratified by at least 67 U.S. Senators, and we need to contact our Senators to urge them to support it. 

 

As for the movie, it's truly a thriller, and it will give you new insights into the most important thing you probably haven't thought much about lately.

 

The web site for the film is:  http://www.takepart.com/countdowntozero

Comments

[rose gibson]

Sad that this important movie "Countdown to Zero" needed to be described as "truly a thriller" in order to convince people to see it and support the cause of abolishing nuclear weapons.

[english taobao]

The best idea in this post.