ATOMIC ECHOES

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - PBS

Stream on PBS Online - Airing August 1st, 2025

As the world approaches the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, much of the American public remains unaware of the psychological and physical toll left on both sides of the war.

Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly, two friends whose families were on opposite sides of the war, embark on an emotional journey to uncover their family legacies. Karin’s great-great-uncle was from Hiroshima and dedicated his life to peace-building after the bomb, while Victoria’s grandfather, an American veteran who served in Nagasaki, was haunted by his experiences and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism until his death.

Together, Karin and Victoria seek answers from family members and historians, and speak with the last remaining American atomic veterans and Japanese survivors, before time runs out. Through their travels, conversations, and acts of reconciliation, they offer a new perspective on the nuclear age and its enduring consequences, urging reflection and peace as this pivotal anniversary approaches.

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Director and Producer: Beatrice Becette
Director of Photography: Chris Janjic
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