The Russian nuclear reactor meltdown catastrophe known as Chernobyl was a once-in-a-lifetime disaster that shook the world. Craig Mazin explored much of it in a dramatized manner in HBO’s acclaimed “Chernobyl” mini-series, but there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the event. And now, 36 years later, we’re closer to solving them. “Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes” is a Sky Original documentary that shows newly uncovered archival footage and recorded interviews with those who were present at the time of the disaster.
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker James Jones, “Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes” will feature interviews with Ihor Hodosov, a miner; Ihor Pismenskiy, a helicopter pilot; Oleksandr Sirota, a ten-year-old schoolboy; Lyudmila Ignatenko, whose husband was a first responder; and many more.
James Jones is a British filmmaker; his line of work includes the British Academy acclaimed series “Panorama.” The series focused on solving crimes and cold cases and first aired in 1953.
The documentary will be executively produced by Darren Kemp. He is best known for his work on the series “Frontline” and “Murdered By My Boyfriend.” Jones will also serve as producer as well as directing.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Thirty-six years after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded in Soviet Ukraine, newly uncovered archival footage and recorded interviews with those who were present paint an emotional and gripping portrait of the extent and gravity of the disaster and the lengths to which the Soviet government went to cover up the incident, including the soldiers sent in to “liquidate” the damage. CHERNOBYL: THE LOST TAPES is the full, unvarnished true story of what happened in one of the least understood tragedies of the twentieth century.
“Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes” will premiere on HBO on June 22, 2022. The documentary will also be available to stream on HBO Max.