The Atomic Cafe is a documentary compiling films about how the world had reacted to the introduction of the atomic bomb. This documentary focuses on the behavior of different countries as the atomic bomb became more common and accessible to the world. Interestingly enough this film really exposes how little we knew about this new technology during that period of time. Additionally we also see the mass propaganda that was flooded through American society as more countries obtained this technology. The purpose of this propaganda was to show that this new technology was not something to be afraid of, rather that it was a technology to embrace while, at the same time, taking the proper precautions to protect ourselves from it.
During the time that the atomic bomb was introduced it seems like it could be taken out of a sci-fi movie. Testing of this bomb had effects on many other people. The natives of the island they wanted to test this bomb on were influenced to leave by telling them it was a good thing and they were doing it for the betterment of mankind. This however probably seemed like something out of a movie or book to these natives.
The idea of the atomic bomb being so massively powerful can be daunting to some. However this is part of science fiction in the making. The human race pushes forward to take these abstract and scientific ideas and make them a reality. Susan Sontag said in her article Disaster Imagination, "It is in the aesthetics of destruction with the peculiar beauties to be found in wreaking havoc, making a mess. And it is in the imagery of destruction that the core of a good sci-fi lies." (pg 41 Liquid Metal) The human race seems to be obsessed with this connection between disaster and beauty. The Army Information film in the documentary said, "When not close enough to be killed, the atomic bomb is one of the most beautiful sights in the world." Perhaps that is what drives us toward the sci-fi genre. Is it the connection between beauty and disaster that compels us to develop weapons like the atomic bomb? Perhaps it is the innate human nature that grasps our attention for disaster and trouble.
Another point in the movie that brings up is that of propaganda. The atomic bomb phase brought about lots of fears and anxieties among society. Things like the "bomb protector box" or getting under your school desk in case of a bomb; all show how much of a concern this brought to society. Susan Sontag touched on this Disaster Imagination and said, "In the films it is by means of images and sounds, not words that one can participate in the fantasy of living through one's own death and more, the death of cities, the destruction of humanity itself." (pg 41 Liquid Metal) This atomic bomb brought the destruction of humanity out of films and imagination into real life. That is a terrifying fact to face. When one's fear of the total destruction humanity become more than just fantasy it tends to put people in a state of panic.
In conclusion, the documentary brings about some interesting points of how we handle disaster and destruction as a society. It is the transition of fantasy to reality that this film brings to life. Not only was this a new and innovative technology, but it was one that brought extensive change to the world in many ways. The human race has always been adamant about progression in any way possible. Through the imagination of science fiction we bring about technological change to our world in a way that no one would think is possible. The Atomic Cafe describes one of these changes and shows how the world reacts to it.
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