RICHLAND
Join us after the screening on Oct. 20 for a Q&A with director Irene Lusztig.
Director Irene Lusztig’s documentary delves into the heart of Richland, Washington, a city created by the U.S. government to shelter those working at the secret Hanford Nuclear Site to produce weapons-grade plutonium as part of the Manhattan Project. Richland proudly embraces its past, even immortalizing its atomic contribution in business names and the local high school’s “Bomber” mascot. Yet, RICHLAND peels back the layers to reveal a community grappling with the complex legacy they inherited. With unflinching candor, the film confronts the dichotomy within Richland’s residents: pride in their heritage and the unsettling echoes of a violent past. Interlaced with multifaceted narratives from nuclear workers, local indigenous tribes, and even a descendant of Nagasaki survivors, RICHLAND is a compelling mosaic confronting the haunting legacy of the Manhattan Project and its enduring impact. It’s a vivid portrait of a city shaped by its atomic roots that provokes profound reflection through masterful storytelling.
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