Oppenheimer: Unveiling the overlooked impact on Latino and Native American communities
As a passionate fan of Christopher Nolan's filmography, watching "Oppenheimer" proved to be an emotionally charged experience for me, largely due to my deep-rooted political convictions.
The movie appeared to encapsulate themes such as racism, xenophobia, egocentricity, and betrayal, which, unfortunately, represent some of the darker aspects that Amerikkka has grappled with throughout its history.
As much as I admire Christopher Nolan's work, I must acknowledge that "Oppenheimer" served as a distressing reflection of these complex issues.
The film evokes such strong emotions is a testament to its ability to immerse yourself in important societal challenges, but it also left me with a deep sense of unease, given the subject matter.
MUSIC
In "Oppenheimer", the overwhelming and persistent use of grandiloquent music in every scene became a major source of concern for me.It seemed to project the idea that the film was primarily intended to be an action movie, contrary to my initial expectations.
As a viewer with a deep appreciation of Christopher Nolan's previous works, and knowing that he particularly likes to provide an audio-immersive experience for his viewers to create tension and suspense, I was expecting a more nuanced type of sound. The excess of music undermined the film's potential, leaving me somewhat disconnected from the story's expected emotional impact.
This completely detracts from the overall experience, verging on a more contemplative approach that's not at all immersive. We can't relate to Oppenheimer, and his moral conflicts seem phony.
NUDITY
One of the aspects of "Oppenheimer" that left me feeling dissatisfied was the inclusion of gratuitous scenes of nudity and sex. While it's understandable that the filmmakers would seek to depict certain aspects of a historical figure's life, I found the portrayal of Oppenheimer as a womanizer to have little to do with the overall narrative.
Instead of adding depth to his character or contributing to a better understanding of his motivations and struggles, these scenes seem to simply underscore his ego and banalize the complexities of his character.
Christopher Nolan has usually the ability to craft compelling and intellectually stimulating stories but the emphasis on explicit content prevented the film from offering a meaningful and substantial account of this scientist.
RACISM
We cannot ignore the distressing historical context surrounding the testing of the atomic bomb near Latino and Native American communities in New Mexico during the Manhattan Project. It is deeply troubling that the movie fails to address these critical aspects of history, which resulted in devastating consequences for the residents living nearby.
The Mescalero Apache and Latino-majority residents of Tularosa, who were unwittingly exposed to radiation poisoning due to the bomb testing, suffered severe health impacts. The radiation not only affected their well-being but also contaminated water sources, vegetation, and livestock, leaving a long-lasting environmental toll. Tragically, many of the affected residents developed illnesses like leukemia, cancers, and their descendants still report health issues, including stillbirths and disabilities till this day.
It is disheartening to witness the omission of such significant information in the movie perpetuates a whitewashed version of history. Focusing solely on aspects of history that conveniently suit certain perspectives can be perceived as a disservice to the truth and the experiences of those affected.
XENOPHOBIA
The race for the atomic bomb during the Second World War, driven by competition between nations like Russia and Germany, was a chilling reminder of mankind's destructive capabilities. Watching countries engage in frantic competition to be the first to possess such a deadly weapon, essentially symbolizing a "death/murder race", is a haunting portrait of the dark side of human ambition.
Oppenheimer's speech, expressing regret at not having used the atomic bomb against the Germans, adds a further layer of unsettling implications. Such sentiments evoke xenophobic attitudes that perpetuate hatred and animosity towards other nations and peoples.
Watching him express regret that he hadn't inflicted more harm and destruction on another group of people under the applause of the audience was so triggering that I almost threw up. After thinking about it I think it was intentional, that’s what Nolan wanted us to feel.
I think about an interview he had with a French journalist Hugo Travers. In the interview Christopher read a tweet “My life is like a Christopher Nolan’s movie. I don’t really understand what’s going on.” He replies “Don’t try tounderstand it, just feel it “
This make total sense, as I felt something nausea, uneasiness and discomfort.
Anyway, The inclusion of these xenophobic elements in the movie serves as a poignant reminder of the dangerous ideologies that can be intertwined with scientific advancements and geopolitical rivalries.
And it also make me wonder if the atomic bomb would have been dropped on Germany if a film would have been made.
The portrayal of remorse at the end of "Oppenheimer." left me frustrated and angry.
It is difficult to find sincerity in such remorse when the actions leading up to the creation of the atomic bomb were driven by the intention to develop a deadly weapon, fully aware of its destructive potential.
Oppenheimer had no remorse if he had any it was from the realisation to be a pawn in the game.The remorse, if it can even be called that, was nothing more than a facade, more performative than genuine.
We need to acknowledge that historical figures, no matter how brilliant their minds may be, should not be romanticised or absolved of responsibility for their actions that caused harm or suffering. While their contributions to scientific advancements may be significant, it does not excuse the devastating consequences of their work.
The movie is based on American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
Prometheus is best known for defying the Olympian gods by stealing fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technology, knowledge, and more generally, civilization.
In punishment Prometheus was bound to a rock, and an eagle was sent to eat his liver. His liver would then grow back overnight, only to be eaten again the next day in an ongoing cycle.