Ground Zero (1987 film)

Infobox_Film
name = Ground Zero


caption =
director = Bruce Myles
Michael Pattinson
producer =
writer = Mac Gudgeon Jan Sardi
starring = Colin Friels
Jack Thompson
Donald Pleasence
music =
cinematography =
editing =
distributor =
released = Australia
October 1, 1987
runtime = 109 min.
country = Australia
language = English
budget =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0093120 |

"Ground Zero" is an Australian drama / thriller about a cinematographer who, prompted by curiosity about some old film footage taken by his father, embarks on a quest to find out the truth about British nuclear tests at Maralinga. It stars actors Colin Friels, Jack Thompson and Indigenous activist Burnum Burnum.

Context of the film

In the 1950s, the British government had conducted a number of nuclear tests at a site called Maralinga in outback South Australia. It was subsequently alleged that during those tests, armed forces personnel and Indigenous Australians may have been exposed to nuclear fallout that may have affected their health. This led eventually to a major inquiry, the McClelland Royal Commission, which reported in 1985. The inquiry attracted a lot of publicity, and ultimately a deal with the United Kingdom to fund rehabilitation of the test sites. "Ground Zero" was made immediately following this inquiry. While fictional, it explores the idea that the exposure to radiation of Indigenous people and army personnel may have been deliberate, or known about at the time and concealed. The political topicality of the film at the time of its release was reflected in the profile of some of the actors involved: Colin Friels has played a number of roles involving social activism, most notably in the Australian television miniseries Bastard Boys; Burnum Burnum was a long-time Indigenous rights activist; while Jack Thompson had previously played a leading role in another film sharply critical of the British military: "Breaker Morant".

Cast

Awards and Nominations

AFI Awards, 1987
*Won: Best Achievement in Cinematography
*Won: Best Achievement in Editing
*Won: Best Achievement in Production Design
*Won: Best Achievement in Sound
*Nominated: Best Actor
*Nominated: Best Supporting Actor
*Nominated: Best Director
*Nominated: Best Film
*Nominated: Best Original Screenplay

Berlin International Film Festival, 1988
*Nominated: Golden Berlin Bear

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093120/ Ground Zero at IMDB]