[act-ma] POWER STRUGGLE - Film About Nuclear Power at Brattle Theater, Sept 15 at 11am

[Robbie Leppzer]

POWER STRUGGLE, a new feature-length documentary film that chronicles the successful grassroots citizens’ effort to shut down a nuclear power plant in Vermont, will be screened on Saturday, September 15 at 11am at the Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA.
 
There will be a post-screening discussion with film director Robbie Leppzer, plus UPDATE about the Pilgrim nuclear reactor (only 35 miles from Boston) with former MA Governor Michael Dukakis, State Rep. Ruth Balser, and public safety activist Diane Turco. Presented by Boston Downwinders, a working group of Massachusetts Peace Action. See below for list of co-sponsoring organizations.
 
Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. No One Turned Away for Lack of Funds!
 
Available online at: power-struggle-camb.brownpapertickets.com
 
For more information about POWER STRUGGLE or to watch a film trailer, visit: www.PowerStruggleMovie.com
 
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/402261446960128/
 
The post-screening discussion panel will address the dangerous situation at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth (only 35 miles from Boston). Pilgrim has been operating under negligent NRC oversight -- through blizzards, even during snow driving bans (how could we ever evacuate?), and with repeated safety equipment failures, for over 40 years. It’s an old failing machine, with 1960s computers running it, and the NRC rates it as the least safe in the country.
 
Democracy prevails when a nuclear engineer turned whistle-blower, a 93-year old grandmother, and a scrappy new governor join forces with an array of activists to score a rare grassroots environmental victory in shuttering an aging nuclear reactor in Vermont. An even-handed, but at times humorous and terrifying chronicle of citizens who believe in the right to energy choices and to keeping their communities safe.
 
POWER STRUGGLE chronicles the heated political battle to shut down the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, located on the banks of the Connecticut River in southern Vermont.
 
Filmed over five years, this feature-length documentary follows the unfolding drama as citizen activists and elected officials – alarmed at increasing safety violations – took on the federal government and one of the biggest nuclear power companies in America to call for closure of the reactor when its original 40-year license expires.
 
The film captures perspectives on all sides of the controversy, including from local residents both for and against nuclear power, elected officials (including U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders), a Vermont Yankee spokesperson, federal regulators, and a nuclear engineer turned whistle-blower.
 
A timely, inspiring story of democracy in action; about whether citizens’ voices will be heard against big moneyed interests, and what people are doing locally right now to make a difference for a safe and sustainable energy future.
 
POWER STRUGGLE is also a warning about the toxic legacy of high-level radioactive waste that will remain at every nuclear power plant around the world indefinitely into the future.
 
Directed and produced by Robbie Leppzer, an award-winning independent documentary filmmaker and radio producer. His critically acclaimed feature-length and short documentaries along with television news magazine segments, have been broadcast by CNN International, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, HBO/Cinemax, PBS, CNN, Sundance Channel, HDNet, Link TV, Free Speech TV, National Public Radio, and Pacifica Radio.
 
Download a PDF screening flyer here: www.turningtide.com/pdfs/POWER_STRUGGLE_8.5x11_Flyer3.1-Cambridge_for_9.15.18.pdf
 
CO-SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS
 
Cape Downwinders, Citizens Awareness Network, American Friends Service Committee, Pilgrim Coalition, Green Newton, New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution, Newton Dialogues on Peace & War, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, Unitarian Universalist Mass Action Network, Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Alliance, Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment, and WILPF Cape Cod.
 
REVIEWS
 
“A genuine David vs. Goliath battle. A rich story of whether grassroots democracy, in the form of citizens and local government, can triumph over entrenched, powerful interests like the nuclear energy industry. Through a story with many twists and turns, Leppzer keeps the film’s focus on the individuals caught up in the drama.”

— Steve Pfarrer, DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE
 
“A chronicle of a political drama.”
 
— Jeff Potter, THE COMMONS


“Riveting.”

— Richie Davis, THE RECORDER

HELP US LAUNCH A NATIONAL GRASSROOTS FILM TOUR

Help us raise funds to launch a national grassroots film tour for POWER STRUGGLE.  Tax-deductible contributions can be made at: 

https://fromtheheartproductions.givecorps.com/projects/16691-documentaries-power-struggle