11/08/2023

The impermeability of life vanishes the borders of what one can do to earn a living. In the category Green Dox, we saw at DokuKino, “Nuclear Nomads” directed by Kilian Armando Friedrich, whom we had the chance to speak with after the screening. We follow the protagonists of this documentary: Marie-Lou, Florian, Jerome, and Vincent who work as subcontractors with the French industry of nuclear power. Each of them, with a different background, trying to make a living in a dangerous industry. The risk of getting exposed to radiation is an imminent problem that affects their livelihood while on the other side, the need for human contact spells out as a cry for help.

The director of Nuclear Nomads expressed his belief that this documentary could have been done for each heavy industry while opening the perspective of understanding all the human force that resides in silence to provide the basic need for other and themselves: electricity and income.

The question of the right to a private life persists within the documentary while relationships get hard to be maintained, while the question is what do they do after they finish work? As we follow up, we know that they will start to work again.

While the theme is delicate, it was hard to convince the protagonists to participate in this documentary but what drove the staff of this film to make this collaboration, was the persistence to tell this story of hardships. Establishing trust was a must and we can read the documentary through this lens: a camera being occupied and immersed in the lives of the characters.

The soundtracks used in this documentary set the tone especially so it reflects the stories of the three protagonists and adds depth to how we perceive it: momentous, thoughtful, and reflective.

The director explained more about how he decided to shoot this documentary since it required a level of attention. The protagonists explain how hard it is to go by while having such work daily while there is always a risk of being exposed to radiation. The procedures take a toll on them because it prevents them from scheduling their life to their liking. On the other side, during the shooting, it was to welcome everyone in their private spaces, and being respectful was a crucial part of the process.

It was a pleasure to have the director of giving us a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes of this important documentary. Everyone can watch this documentary tonight (11/08) from 22:00 at Sonar Cinema near the castle in Prizren.

By: Blerina Kanxha

Photo: Malda Lika