What is Nuclear Energy? Watch, Read, Explore!

Hello, I’m Ayşe! I’ve been working as an EP Product Engineer at Borusan Cat for two years. I’m a mechanical engineer with a minor in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. My interest in nuclear energy began during my undergraduate years, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in the Nuclear Research Department at ITU Energy Institute.

In my first article on theBClog, I introduced the topic under the title What is Nuclear Energy? Now, I’d like to share some films, series, and online content about nuclear energy that I’ve found captivating. I hope you find inspiration in these recommendations!

Series

A Striking Mini-Series: Chernobyl

First on the list is the 2019 mini-series Chernobyl. This five-part series dramatically portrays the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster. Most of the characters are based on real people, which makes the story even more compelling. The character that impacted me the most was “Ulana Khomyuk,” created to represent the scientists investigating the accident. The series doesn’t just depict the disaster but also shows how human errors and lies can lead to massive catastrophes.

From a Japanese Perspective: The Days

The Days (2023) focuses on the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant disaster. The show highlights the calmness of Japanese culture and its solution-oriented approach to crises. While the series starts slowly, the development of events is full of surprises.

Movies

On the Big Screen: Oppenheimer

Christopher Nolan’s 2023 film Oppenheimer recounts the development of the atomic bomb. This three-hour movie explores the Manhattan Project and Oppenheimer’s inner struggles. Although I wished for more details on certain aspects, overall, it’s a captivating and impactful film.

A Submarine Tragedy: K-19 Widowmaker

This 2002 movie depicts a nuclear accident on a Soviet submarine and the crew’s struggle for survival. The realistic portrayal of the effects of radiation on the crew was particularly striking to me. I highly recommend it to fans of history and drama.

A Story of a Scientist: Radioactive

Radioactive (2019) tells the life story of Marie Curie, blending her scientific achievements with her personal life. As someone who admires Curie’s work, I enjoyed the film, though I’m still looking for content that focuses more on the scientific aspects of her story.

Book Recommendation

Chernobyl

Andrew Leatherbarrow’s Chernobyl offers an account of the disaster as well as insights into the region’s modern-day tours. Its engaging language makes it perfect for those who want to learn about the events without being overwhelmed by scientific details.

These nuclear energy-related recommendations will not only broaden your knowledge but also provide new perspectives. I hope this list will be both informative and enjoyable for you!

Ayse Karakaya

Ayşe joined the Borusan Cat family two years ago and works as an EP Product Engineer. She has both a personal and academic interest in nuclear energy. A mechanical engineer by training, Ayşe enjoys following and recommending films, series, and written works that explore the topic of nuclear energy.