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Uranium: Twisting the Dragons Tail Returns to OETA January 11

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by
cassie gage
• Published on • Last modified on
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2015 marked the 70th anniversary of the most profound turning point in the history of human enterprise: the detonation of the atomic bomb and the revelation of the destructive force contained within its primary element, uranium. URANIUM: TWISTING THE DRAGON’S TAIL, a two-part program provides a fascinating journey through the complex history of the most controversial substance on Earth, on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at 9 p.m. on OETA-HD.

URANIUM: TWISTING THE DRAGON’S TAIL takes viewers through place and time, touching on the cultural, scientific and natural significance of uranium and its many uses — from weaponry to medicine. Part science and part history, the story of uranium is brought to life by host Dr. Derek Muller, a physicist and creator of the popular YouTube channel “Veritasium.” The special follows Muller down mineshafts and across arid deserts, and through the vast silence of an abandoned city resulting from the world’s worst nuclear accident. Muller relates how uranium crackles with the violence of creation and shapes life on Earth.

“We are who we are because of uranium,” Muller says. “It unlocks the secrets of the universe and reveals the nature of reality. It’s both a dream of clean limitless power and a nightmare of a silent, poisoned Earth.” 

“On the eve of the 70th anniversary of the first detonation of the atomic bomb, this special spans the globe to shed light on humans’ complicated history and relationship with a uniquely intriguing element,” said Bill Gardner, Vice President of Programming and Development for PBS. “As always, PBS is the place to explore complicated issues like harnessing nuclear power and the use of destructive forces. In this gripping series, audiences will be surprised to learn how prevalent a dangerous yet life-giving element is in our daily lives.”

URANIUM: TWISTING THE DRAGON’S TAIL, a Genepool Production for PBS, is written and directed by Wain Fimeri and produced by Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker Sonya Pemberton.  It is produced with support from SBS Australia, Film Victoria and Screen Australia.