SOS: The San Onofre Syndrome

SOS: The San Onofre Syndrome
SOS: The San Onofre Syndrome
Directed by	James Heddle; Mary Beth Brangan; Morgan Peterson;
Produced by	Mary Beth Brangan
Cinematography	James Heddle
Edited by	Morgan Peterson
Music by	Christopher Hedge
Animation by	TheBureau.tv
Production; company	Ecological Options Network
Release date	2023;
Running time	97 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

SOS: The San Onofre Syndrome is a documentary film released in 2023 that examines the impact of the San Onofre Nuclear Plant in California, United States. The film emphasizes the potential health risks and environmental consequences that could affect present and future generations.^[1] It was directed by James Heddle, Mary Beth Brangan, and Morgan Peterson.

The film has earned recognition at several prestigious cinema festivals. It received the Grand Jury Award for Documentary Feature at the 2023 Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, California, as well as the Best Educational Documentary Award at the 2024 International Uranium Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro.

Synopsis

SOS: San Onofre Syndrome delves into the efforts of Southern California residents to address safety concerns about the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station deteriorating condition until its final shutdown in 2013.^[2] And the subsequent realization of a new threat: the presence of vast quantities of nuclear waste stored a mere 100 feet from the rising sea, with radioactivity that will persist for millions of years, posing a significant risk to the society. SOS is an urgent call to raise awareness of this global problem. Filmed over 12 years, the documentary investigates public concerns and community opposition to the nuclear station through interviews with residents, activists, engineers, and nuclear energy experts.^[3]

The film documents Prime Minister Naoto Kan's visit on June 4th, 2013 to San Diego to participate in a panel entitled “Fukushima: Ongoing Lessons for California” next to Nuclear Regulatory Commission chair Gregory Jaczko, former NRC Commissioner Peter A. Bradford, and nuclear engineer Arnie Gundersen, where they discussed nuclear power's risks.^[4] The producer Mary Beth Brangan stated in an interview that the Fukushima accident set her and her life partner James Heddle into the making of this film.^[5]

Awards

The documentary has been recognized at several international film festivals and has received awards for its impact and social awareness. Notable awards include:

2023 - Grand Jury Award For Documentary Feature at the Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, California.^[6] ^[7]
2024 - Best Educational Documentary Award at the International Uranium Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ^[8]
2024 - Outstanding Excellence Award for Best Documentary at the Documentaries Without Borders Film Festival.^[9]
2024 - Outstanding Excellence Award (Environmental) at the Nature Without Borders International Film Festival.^[10]
2024 - Best Actuality Subject In a Documentary at the Global Nonviolent Film Festival. ^[11] ^[12]

Featured cast

The following individuals were featured in the film: ^[13]

Gary and Laurie Headrick. Co-founders of San Clemente Green. ^[14]
Donna Gilmore. Founder of San Onofre Safety.^[15]
Karen Hadden. Executive Director of the SEED (Sustainable Energy and Economic Development) Coalition.
Rose Gardner. Co-founder of the Alliance for Environmental Strategies. ^[16]
Gregory Jaczko. Nuclear Regulatory Commission former chairman.
S. David Freeman "Green Cowboy" (1926-2020). Advocate for Clean Energy, energy efficiency, and clean transportation policies and initiatives.^[17]
Deanna Polk. Emergency response professional.
Torgen Johnson. Urban Planner and principal architect at Johnson Design.
Dan Hirsch. Founder of Committee to Bridge the Gap.^[18]
Gordon Edwards (activist). Nuclear consultant, and president of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility.^[19]
Naoto Kan. Japan's Former Prime Minister during the Fukushima Tsunami.
Arnie Gundersen. Consulting Nuclear Engineer.
Dr. Tom English. President of the Earth Restoration Team.

Reception

Writer Katie Singer analyses this documentary in an article, extracting the essence from its 97 minutes: “I consider “SOS: The San Onofre Syndrome” a forum. It informs viewers about nuclear reactors and radioactive waste—and inspires discussion about how to live with peace between our ears during radioactive times”. Singer describes it as an "extraordinary documentary".^[20]

External links

References

[1] ttps://latinolosangeles.com/people-power-on-nuclear-alley-65184

[2] ttps://www.kpbs.org/news/environment/2024/07/25/state-lawmakers-continue-calls-for-feds-to-move-san-onofres-nuclear-waste

[3] ttps://sanonofresyndrome.com/thefilm

[4] ttps://www.kpbs.org/news/environment/2013/06/04/lessons-fukushima

[5] ttps://nuclearhotseat.com/podcast/nh-640-sos-san-onofre-syndrome-film-a-knockout-directors-mary-beth-brangan-jim-heddle/

[6] ttps://awarenessfestival.org/2023-winners-annouced/

[7] ttps://www.imdb.com/event/ev0003162/2023/1?ref_=ttawd_ev_1

[8] ttps://uraniumfilmfestival.org/en/rio-2024-award-winners

[9] ttps://docswithoutbordersfilmfest.com/WINNERS/DWBFFSpring2024WINNERS.html

[10] ttps://www.nwbiff.com/WINNERS/NWBIFF_Winners_Spring_2024.html

[11] ttps://www.imdb.com/event/ev0003648/2024/1

[12] ttps://nonviolentfilmfestival.wordpress.com/2024/10/08/awards-2024-full-list/

[13] ttps://sanonofresyndrome.com/featured-cast

[14] ttps://sanclementegreen.org/

[15] ttps://sanonofresafety.org/about/

[16] ttps://nmpoliticalreport.com/news/forever-deadly-state-officials-communities-scramble-to-fight-a-proposal-to-house-high-level-nuclear-waste-in-new-mexico/

[17] ttps://www.sdavidfreeman.com/

[18] ttps://www.committeetobridgethegap.org/

[19] ttps://www.ccnr.org/

[20] ttps://katiesinger.substack.com/p/sanonofre

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