A Unnerving Journey Back to 1986: Chernobyl
Chernobyl is the deceptively simple story of what happened after the explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986. During such a situation, scientists and politicians try heroes to prevent the disaster, find secrets and save thousands of people. The miniseries shows how these people suffered during and after the tragedy and how they continue to do so to this day.
As it stands it examines issues of truth, responsibility and specifically, the personal price paid following a mistake in judgment. It expresses a note of distress and passion while elaborating the theme of the survival of the spirit in the wake of colossal calamity.
Jared Harris shares the story of Valery Legasov and shows his obsession with the truth. Boris Shcherbina played by Stellan Skarsgård gives a political angle to the film in a very much phased manner while on the other hand Ulana Khomyuk an investigative forensic geologist performed by Emily Watson closely examines the case scientifically.
Chernobyl stands out for its well-organized plot as the show was directed by Johan Renck, and every detail is focused on reflecting the reality of that time. Director Renck composes a series of scenes, which are somewhat nervous and genuinely depictive that keeps the viewer both hooked and knowledgeable.
Hildur Guðnadóttir’s music provides great support to the concept of the series and makes scenes deeply emotional and tense. Actually, music used in the film is rather unobtrusive and thereby dominating at the same time, which fits the story.
‘Chernobyl’ boasts of good lighting and filming, the primary colors are grey with a lot of dark shots used. It depicts the despair of the scene, the enormity of the disaster, This is how dominant theme of despair is reflected.
The use of set and location gives a realistic look of the nineteen-eighties Soviet Union, and effectively underlines the hopelessness and the confusion of the disaster zone.
‘In Chernobyl the makeup is used well and does not overshadow the plot, which helps create a realistic picture of the consequences of a nuclear blast.’
‘The cuts are smooth to make and ensure that there is good pace for storytelling and emotional investment is established, and the series takes time to develop both plot and themes.’
It is a slow burning miniseries that is incredibly engaging and very methodical about pacing out surprising tension with quiet and steady character establishment and advancement of the story.
The dialog is powerful, serves as revelation arousing sadness and enlightenment all at once. Thus it depicts a picture of the disaster and reveals the various interplays of people during such incidents.
Chernobyl, of course, could be criticised for exaggerating or, at least, staging some events. Nonetheless, its representation stays rather powerful and moving, thus provoking discussions on the truth and accountability necessary.
Chernobyl is a dramatic dramatization of a catastrophic occurrence that hits home, hard. What it does, and does powerfully, is challenge the viewer, put them on the edge of their seat, and force them to face grim truths about human fallibility and human strength.
