Assignment Task: Half Life: A Parable for the Nuclear Age (1985)
Rooted in first-person interviews, Half Life is a chilling and honest investigation into the United States-led nuclear testing in the Pacific and the real and lasting impact it had on people, now and for generations to come. The United States liberated the Marshall Islands from Japanese rule in 1947, and the documentary includes historical footage of native islanders eagerly welcoming the US military as their new protectors, following WWII. In 1954, the US military dropped the H-Bomb on the unsuspecting island population, with no warning and no evacuation. Interviews with survivors show the horrific and long-lasting effects of the bomb, and equally horrific is the United States abandonment of the Marshall Islands in the 1980s. This powerful documentary shows the hearty spirit of the islanders amid the beautiful cinematography of the Pacific Islands, while telling a frightening story about a government's abuse of power for the sake of nuclear testing.
What is the main point/thesis statement for the film?
1. What are 3 ideas in the film that stand out to you?
2. Select 1 important quote from the film and share your perspectives on that quote.
3. What idea in the film is unclear, or is one that you still have questions about, or is one you'd like to explore further?