Project Detail

The Atom: A Love Affair

Synopsis

Combining behind-the-scenes political drama with the spirit of a sentimental screen romance,THE ATOM: A LOVE AFFAIR charts the social and political development of nuclear power - and our changing relationship with it – since the end of the Second World War.
Covering seven eventful decades and focusing particularly on events in the US, UK, France and Germany, the film reveals how the 1950s romantic fantasy of an atom-powered future developed into the stormy, on-off relationship whose drama continues to play out to this day.
It's a story of deeply felt convictions, political manoeuvering, blunders, crisis and reinvention. And it's told, as far as possible, firsthand, by the politicians, campaigners, scientists, engineers and executives directly involved in the fluctuating fortunes of the 'peaceful atom’.

Details

Year
2019
Type of project
Features
Running time
91 min
Format
Digital
Director
Vicki Lesley 1st Feature
Producer
Vicki Lesley
Executive Producer
Christopher Hird
Editor
Phil Reynolds
Screenwriter
Vicki Lesley
Director of Photography
Michael Timney, Owen Scurfield
Sound
Ian Maclagan
Composer
Paul Honey
Archive Producer UK
Karen Walsh
Archive Producer Germany
Kristoffer Born
Narrated by
Lily Cole

Categories

Production Status

Production Company

Dartmouth Films

Matt Hird
West Wing, Somerset House
Strand, London
WC2R 1LA

Sales Company

Dartmouth Films

Matt Hird
West Wing, Somerset House
Strand, London
WC2R 1LA

Page updates

This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.

See also

You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.

A Distant Call A Distant Call

Director: Andrea Suwito

Year: 2026

In the ancient Bugis way of life in Indonesia, gender non-binary ‘bissu’ were once revered spiritual leaders. Eka, one of the last remaining bissu, decides to leave behind their identity, searching for belonging in a world that insists on definitions.

Solstice on Grímsey Island Nation

Director: Nikolai Galitzine

Year: 2026

When a church burns down in a storm, a remote arctic community come together to preserve their identity as they face an uncertain future.

A reality TV presenter speaks to the camera, looking directly into the lens. Tops

Director: Ames Pennington

Year: 2024

A fun pastiche of chaotic, brash, self-deprecating and clueless 1990s/2000s British reality TV, TOPS sees self-proclaimed future award-winning filmmaker Ames Pennington present their landmark faux-documentary. Casting themselves as an invasive TV presenter, Ames goes on a satirical odyssey through the lives and homes of four unique individuals, exploring the crucial question that defines the transmasc experience: “What TOP did you want to wear after TOP surgery?” Official Selection BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2024 - World premiere Official Selection Kashish Pride Film Festival 2024 - International premiere