Atomic People

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Atomic People

2024

1h 29m

Documentary

History

War

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7 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

The decision by the United States to drop atomic bombs on two Japanese cities -- Hiroshima on 6 August 1945 and Nagasaki three days later -- was one of the most momentous and destructive in world history. Now, nearly 80 years later, this unique film gathers the testimony of some of the last 'Hibakusha', survivors of the two atomic bombs, before their voices are lost forever. With an average age of 85, most Hibakusha were children when the bombs were dropped. Combining their personal accounts with archive footage, the film features a significant number of voices from this shrinking group, the only people left on earth to have survived a nuclear bomb, while exploring how their experiences continue to affect them to this day.

Dan Einav

Financial Times

By confronting us with the horrors of what they experienced, the hibakusha provide us with the most urgent, unflinching and unequivocal warning possible about where nuclear escalation may lead.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 7, 2024

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Lucy Mangan

Guardian

Atomic People does not mark a major anniversary. It is simply that time is running out for the long-silent survivors to tell their stories, to have them heard and to let them function as a warning from history.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 2, 2024

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Anita Singh

Daily Telegraph (UK)

A horrifying watch from start to finish.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 2, 2024

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

I’m always intrigued by stories about people who survived a massive trauma in their youth and then went on to live to a very old age.

Sep 7, 2025

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Pat Stacey

Irish Independent

If it’s the bigger picture you’re looking for, you’ll find it in the powerful documentary Atomic People — 90 minutes of quiet heartbreak from director Benedict Sanderson.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 8, 2024

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Barbara Ellen

Observer (UK)

While Christopher Nolan’s film Oppenheimer sought to capture the crushing horror of causing mass death, Atomic People gives voice to those at the sharp end.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 5, 2024

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Leaburn O

Important to hear the voices of those who survived the greatest wartime atrocity ever committed to ensure it never happens again. Harrowing scenes and accounts. Watched on BBC iPlayer.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/11/25

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Benedict Sanderson

Director

Megumi Inman

Director

Megumi Inman

Producer

Naoko Miyamoto

Producer

Mayu Nakamura

Producer

Ema Ryan Yamazaki

Producer

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Synopsis

The decision by the United States to drop atomic bombs on two Japanese cities -- Hiroshima on 6 August 1945 and Nagasaki three days later -- was one of the most momentous and destructive in world history. Now, nearly 80 years later, this unique film gathers the testimony of some of the last 'Hibakusha', survivors of the two atomic bombs, before their voices are lost forever. With an average age of 85, most Hibakusha were children when the bombs were dropped. Combining their personal accounts with archive footage, the film features a significant number of voices from this shrinking group, the only people left on earth to have survived a nuclear bomb, while exploring how their experiences continue to affect them to this day.

Director: Benedict Sanderson, Megumi Inman
Producer: Megumi Inman, Naoko Miyamoto, Mayu Nakamura, Ema Ryan Yamazaki
Production Co: Minnow Films
Genre: Documentary, History, War
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 29m