Dozens of Beijing residents gathered at the Chinese Film Museum on Wednesday to witness the first screening of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ in China. This event took place amid growing public attention and concern about nuclear issues, following Japan’s recent release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.
Moviegoers were asked to share their thoughts on the film and provide a comment on its main topic, which revolves around nuclear power safety and the use of nuclear weapons.
The majority of viewers were impressed by the film’s extraordinary visual effects and the unique experience it provides. One of those, Mora, mentioned that the scene depicting the use of the atomic bomb offers a more realistic understanding of the catastrophe.
« This film lets us have a more intuitive experience, to feel a degree that completely breaks through the imagination,” she added.
Although it has not yet been released in Japan, the film has sparked significant controversy on Japanese social media. This is due to its portrayal of Robert Oppenheimer, a crucial figure in the development of the nuclear bomb. For many Japanese viewers, the film serves as a poignant reminder of the historical events, that occurred on August 6th and 9th, 1945, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, especially during the ongoing crisis Fukushima nuclear plant treated radioactive water.
“I think previous atomic bomb use must be the reason why this film is very sensitive for Japan, and then it [‘Oppenheimer’] touches on this topic again, and then recently in the world, this topic is relatable again. So I think [this reaction from Japanese viewers] is quite normal,” – shared Yuan Yinuo.
Another fan of the film named Tommy expressed that watching it had a deterrent effect, as it served as a reminder of the devastating impact of nuclear weapons.
« The main idea of this film, that is, the atomic bomb may have a deterrent effect. It can and may stop the war on the one hand, but it will also lead to some military arms races in other countries, that is, it may further lead to another war, so it is a double-edged sword, with plus and conses on both sides,” said Tommy, another fan of the film.
Oppenheimer is a biographical movie by Christopher Nolan that revolves around the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American theoretical physicist. The film mainly highlights Oppenheimer’s academic studies, his leadership of the Manhattan Project during World War II, and his downfall following his 1954 security hearing.
