About the Film

“Chernobyl 20”, is a 28-minute documentary chronicle of Yelena Zmushko’s journey in search for truth about the Chernobyl accident and its consequences. It serves as a discovery of hidden pain that has been haunting her and was finally relieved when she removed herself from the area contaminated by radiation. While in Belarus she was not prepared to hear the truth and did not have access to information on the impact of radiation on the human body, psyche and environment. She lost her friend to cancer when she died at the age of 18 and her sister was diagnosed with anemia six years following the accident. Throughout the course of the film Yelena tells her story while incorporating interviews of experts, health professionals, activists, poetry, materials from the International conference leading up to the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident hosted by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and footage of the areas contaminated by radiation in Belarus, their residents, affected people and her family members. Yelena Zmushko was inspired to make a documentary “Chernobyl 20” which had given her hope to pursue advocacy for truth about the real threat of radioactive exposure and, possibly, inspire other people to search for their own personal truth. “Chernobyl 20” proffers a brave, activist agenda through a deeply personal view.