Unveiling Controversial Truths: Oppenheimer's Contemplation on Sharing Japan's WW2 Bombings

Summary

Author Kai Bird believes that showing old news clips of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Oppenheimer would have trivialized the devastation caused by the atom bomb.

Christopher Nolan provides his own reasoning for the absence of depicted bombings, arguing that the film's perspective necessitates keeping the devastation out of sight.

Though Bird raises a valid point, it remains uncertain whether an alternative approach could have effectively conveyed the horror of the bombings without resorting to exploitation or disrespect.

The author of the book that inspired Oppenheimer gives his opinion on whether the film should have depicted the atomic bombings of Japan in World War II. Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated biographical film about the father of the atomic bomb has stirred up controversy due to its explosive subject matter. Unsurprisingly, the film has sparked numerous debates, one of which revolves around Nolan's choice to focus on the creation of the atom bomb rather than showcasing the catastrophic effects it had on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Kai Bird, the author of American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, has joined the ongoing Oppenheimer debate by sharing his perspective on whether the bombings should have been depicted. During a panel discussion at The Graduate Center, SUNY, Bird, alongside Nolan and producer Emma Thomas, explained why he believed it was the right decision not to visually portray the devastation caused by Oppenheimer's involvement in the Manhattan Project. You can listen to his remarks in the video below (starting at approximately 36:06).

In particular, some critics have proposed that the film should have depicted the aftermath of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, I respectfully disagree. To showcase old news footage of the devastated city of Hiroshima taken a few weeks post-bombing would diminish the gravity of the event. All that would be visible are shattered buildings.

Nolan Has His Own Explanation For Not Showing The Bombings In Oppenheimer

The author of the Oppenheimer book, which served as inspiration for Nolan's biopic, has now shared their thoughts on one of the film's major controversies. However, Nolan himself has already expressed his reasons for not depicting the bombings. During a screening of the movie in July, Nolan explained that the film's unique perspective necessitated the audience not witnessing the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He noted that at the time, Oppenheimer learned about the bombings through the radio, just like the rest of the world.

Oppenheimer explores a subjective perspective throughout most of its duration, artfully delving into the complexities of the protagonist's thoughts and incorporating visual effects that mirror the chaotic realm of quantum physics. However, the film also includes objective scenes, presented in black-and-white, that provide a broader narrative perspective beyond Oppenheimer's own viewpoint. This suggests that director Nolan could have chosen to include the bombings if he had deemed it essential.

Bird's valid point highlights the importance of avoiding the trivialization of the devastation caused by the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings by relying on tired docudrama techniques like showcasing old newsreel footage. However, it does not answer the question of whether an alternative approach could have effectively depicted the horror unleashed by the nuclear bombs. Given the film's abundant use of imagination throughout, it seems plausible that Nolan could have devised a method to showcase the impact of the bombings without appearing exploitative or disrespectful.

Source: The Graduate Center, SUNY/YouTube