Inside Chernobyl with Ben Fogle

source: Inside Chernobyl with Ben Fogle

This is not Ben Fogle's usual fayre, bordering much more on dark tourism than travel and adventure. However I really, really loved this. The insight into the inner workings of the Chernobyl power plant are great, but what really comes to the fore is nature's unexpected victory over a massive error of human judgement.

A lot of approximations and really a lot of exaggerations about the state of contamination in Pripyat. This reality TV reporter forgets that he is not the only one who has access to this area, and the Geiger counters of the other visitors (including illegal ones) do not go crazy as much as his own in the different rooms of the hospital. With its horror movie-like narration, Fogle's story is more like a ghost train ride than an objective documentary on one of the biggest human catastrophes. Sounds like he's trying to scare people away from nuclear power. The 2019 HBO mini-series is far more factual and objective than this so-called documentary.

The documentary is a mess when it comes to conveying facts (example: we are first told that scientists have estimated that the zone will be contaminated for 20.000 years, but Fogel exaggerates this number and "rounds up" to 100.000 years), and could have benefitted from a few more historical facts and perhaps even pictures/video clips from "back then". Moreover, it's repetitive at times due to the editing. Additionally, Fogel is not a very trustful storyteller, even though he seems to know some things about the subject; he is constantly exaggerating, being sentimental, and constantly puts himself and his emotions at the center of the story. That being said, the documentary shows some interesting areas of Chernobyl (both the reactor, town, and nature), and introduces us to empathic people with interesting live-stories. Except for a few editing errors, it even has some beautiful pictures. Watch it if you are curious on the state of Chernobyl, and then go read about it yourself.

Ben Fogle: Inside Chernobyl Spoilers or thorough insight alert. Following the spectacular Chernobyl series with Jared Harris there has been an increase in interest about the 1986 nuclear plant disaster and the Exclusion Zone. And so it is not surprising to see a new documentary capitalising on the success of the 2019 series. I am mindful of the monumental effort put into producing Chernobyl and I need to be objective in my rating of Ben Fogle's "Inside Chernobyl" documentary to allow for a proportionate appraisal. I thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal: 1. of the time that stood still in a once vibrant city, 2. of the powerful flora and fauna overtaking the vast spaces, 3. of generations of people rooted and rooting for this land (survivors, workers, illegal hikers, adrenaline junkies) 4. and lastly the unique access to and sight of the hospital basement, the plant itself, the functional twin reactor no 3 and the haunting scene from the now defunct control room and reactor no 4. The notion of special permits, time limits and geiger meters only adds to the dreary, chilling atmosphere. We are so privileged to be able see the drone footage. It helps embrace the soul of this place. My reservations: I was somewhat surprised that no enhanced respiratory personal protective equipment was required. A simple FFP3 mask or valved mask didn't seem reassuring and sufficient a protection. Passing through the radiation detector at the end of the day without showing increased levels of picked up radioactive dust seemed also a bit outlandish and perhaps propaganda? I would have expected showers for everyone to clean off the dust and particles. Having met the illegal hikers, Ben seemed to embrace the activity as a means of coming to terms with the history and bridging with the contemporary need to post on social media. I felt some nonchalance about it without deeper insight as to the consequences of these activities, both illegal and dangerous. The comment about someone slipping from heights and losing their life last year seemed to be just made in passing. I think a side note is needed: This is a real disaster zone, contaminated for hundreds of years to come. The current sarcophagus may be sealed for a few more decades but it too will start seeping through. This is not Berlin Wall, where it was permissible to take or buy a brick. This is a radioactive Titanic or Hiroshima. Everything taken from there will emit invisible force to be reckoned with. So in a way, I am very grateful for this documentary. It is thought provoking. It brings back the memories from my childhood. It begs for a question whether it was necessary for Ben and the cameramen to stay there for a whole week only for an hour of screening time footage? Let's just hope their health will not be affected. Inside Chernobyl = a solid 7 /10 from me as Chernobyl (2019) had a 12/10.

It was natural for documentaries to follow on from the incredible TV series Chernobyl proved to be such a hit. This is incredibly interesting, presented by the incredibly likeable Ben Fogle. The tour of the building was fascinating, but I found myself more intrigued by The Stalkers, and the story of Valentina and her little dog Dana. It should serve as a chilling reminder as to what happened back in 1986, and it does, Pripyat is a chilling place, this documentary shows the lasting devastation, the bleak land that remains. Credit to Fogle for doing it, I thoroughly enjoyed it, 9/10.

Trailer—Inside Chernobyl with Ben Fogle

Inside Chernobyl with Ben Fogle