Two women, whose families fought on opposite sides of World War II, travel together from the United States to Japan to tell the stories of the people who survived the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in “Atomic Echoes: Untold Stories of World War II.” The new documentary from Blue Chalk Media sheds light on the enduring scars of the “hibakusha” — the estimated 650,000 Japanese survivors of the bombings — and the “atomic veterans” — the estimated 67,000 American soldiers who responded to the carnage in the immediate aftermath.
Karin Tanabe’s great-great uncle was the first president of Hiroshima University and a man who dedicated his life to peace building after the bomb. Victoria Kelly’s grandfather was an American atomic veteran who served in Nagasaki and died young, haunted by his experiences.
Together, the women embark on a journey to return a flag brought to America after the war — a flag worn by a Japanese soldier, with his lineage written across the banner’s white field. The film includes interviews with survivors from both sides of the conflict as well as input from historians in order to offer a new perspective on the nuclear age and its lasting consequences.
As the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings approaches, the documentary urges reflection and reckoning with a past that continues to shape our present.
“With ‘Atomic Echoes,’ we’re preserving the voices of those who have experienced one of history’s most significant and devastating events,” said Executive Producer Greg Moyer. “This story and its lessons are vital, and we’re honored by the trust placed in us by Karin, Victoria, and the survivors who have bravely shared with us.”
Directed and produced by Beatrice Becette, the new PBS documentary will air on public television stations nationwide beginning the week of Aug. 1, 2025.
For more information about “Atomic Echoes,” visit the film’s website and Instagram.
