Countdown to Zero is an American documentary about the escalating nuclear arms race.
COUNTDOWN TO ZERO traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state of global affairs: nine nations possessing nuclear weapons capabilities with others racing to join them, with the world held in a delicate balance that could be shattered by an act of terrorism, failed diplomacy, or a simple accident.
Written and directed by acclaimed documentarian Lucy Walker (Waste Land, The Devil’s Playground, Blindsight), the film features an array of important international statesmen, including President Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Pervez Musharraf and Tony Blair. It makes a compelling case for worldwide nuclear disarmament, an issue more topical than ever with the Obama administration working to revive this goal today.
The film was produced by Academy Award winner and current nominee Lawrence Bender (Inglourious Basterds, An Inconvenient Truth) and developed, financed and executive produced by Participant Media, together with World Security Institute.
Awards
Satellite Awards 2011 – Nominated Satellite Award Best Motion Picture,
Documentary
Cinema for Peace Awards 2011 – Nominated International Green Film Award
Reviews
“Illustrating the many ways nuclear weapons could kill you makes Countdown to Zero one of the most frightening documentaries you'll ever see, or endure.” New York Post
“Alternately edifying and alarming film about nuclear proliferation.” Washington Post
“Like Charles Ferguson's excellent Iraq documentary "No End in Sight,” “Countdown to Zero” has an agenda but has the cogent, reasoned rhetoric to support it." Chicago Tribune
“This is a sobering piece of advocacy cinema.” San Francisco Chronicle
“As odd as it may sound, it's a remarkably beautiful movie.” Wall Street Journal