Please join us for this special screening followed by a discussion with
RANDY RYDELL
Senior Political Affairs Officer, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Registration and Cash Bar
Screening begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.
The Tribeca Grand Hotel
2 Avenue of the Americas (between White and Walker Streets)
New York, NY
ADMISSION
UNA Members: $10
Guests and Non-Members: $15
COUNTDOWN TO ZERO sweeps us into a scorching, hypnotic journey around the world to reveal the palpable possibility of nuclear disaster and to frame an issue on which human survival itself hangs.
The film traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state of global affairs: nine nations possessing nuclear weapons capabilities with others racing to join them, with the world held in a delicate balance that could be shattered by an act of terrorism, failed diplomacy, or a simple accident.
Written and directed by acclaimed documentarian Lucy Walker (The Devil's Playground, Blindsight), the film features an array of important international statesmen, including President Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Pervez Musharraf and Tony Blair. It makes a compelling case for worldwide nuclear disarmament, an issue more urgent than ever as the Obama administration works to revive this goal today.
The Wall Street Journal called COUNTDOWN TO ZERO "hair-raising" and noted that it was one of the rare documentaries to screen at Cannes. Jason Solomons, writing for The Observer in the UK, said the film was one of "five films to watch" at Cannes. And while a highly critical NPR review contends that "the movie's account of the nuclear era reminds us that, since Nagasaki, no government has dropped the big one," it also derides the film's suggestion that "governments of China or North Korea (or the US, for that matter) are just waiting for a gentle rebuke from civic-minded documentary viewers."
In response, however, it must be said: getting to zero IS possible — step by step. After the screening, there will be a discussion with Randy Rydell, from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, who will highlight the UN's work in disarmament. Armed conflicts, rising weapons-related expenditures, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conventional arms, and other threats continue to challenge the foundations of international peace and security. Disarmament, non-proliferation and peace education efforts are becoming important means to better understand and address these concerns. They are important for strengthening involvement by civil society and are a source of inspiration for constructive national and international action.
More links to important related information and in-depth reports
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy
Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament
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Only UNA-NYC Members have guaranteed admission to all our film events, and attend for free or pay the discounted Members' admission. Our events are well-attended, so we strongly encourage membership with UNA-NYC to guarantee your seats!
UNA-NYC is grateful for the generosity of the Tribeca Grand Hotel, for allowing our organization the consistent booking of their state of the art screening room for our Film Talk series.
Nearest subway stations to access the Tribeca Grand Hotel area:
Canal Street station: A, E, C trains
Franklin Street station: No. 1 train
Also close, but requires a little walk:
Canal Street Station station: N, Q, R, W trains
View the Tribeca Grand Hotel neighborhood map and more directions