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The Depleted Uranium Question

The US used thousands of tons of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition in its wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and Libya, leaving behind contaminated battlefields. In addition, thousands of soldiers and the local population have been contaminated with depleted uranium dust, which can cause serious health problems and terrible birth defects. But what does the own population in the USA know about depleted uranium?

The US developed and tested depleted uranium weapons for decades in New Mexico in Socorro and the surrounding mountains. Uranium dust from test bombings and test shootings have left behind not only contaminated shooting ranges and contaminated water resources. Winds have also blown the uranium dust from the mountains over the city and over large areas.

Two intrepid reporters now visited the town Socorro in New Mexico and want to know, if and what the local population know about these uranium weapons. In front of a supermarket in Socorro they ask the simple question: What is depleted uranium?

Starring: U.S. Air Force Veteran Damacio A. Lopez. Born in Socorro, Damacio Lopez has been studying the consequences of the use of depleted uranium weapons for more than 30 years.

  • Norbert G. Suchanek
    Director
  • Norbert G. Suchanek
    Writer
  • Norbert G. Suchanek
    Producer
  • Márcia Gomes de Oliveira
    Producer
  • Damacio Lopez
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    War, Environment
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 11, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Feel The Reel Film Festival
    Glasgow
    Official Selection
  • Los Angeles CineFest

    Semi-Finalist
  • Hollywood Verge Film Awards

    Official Selection
  • MayDay Film Festival

    Official Selection
  • Rome International Film Festival

    Official Selection
Director Biography - Norbert G. Suchanek

Norbert G. Suchanek was born in 1963 in Würzburg in Germany. Since 1988 he works as investigative environmental, human rights and science journalist, book author, photographer and filmmaker. In the 1980ies and 1990ies he researched in conflict regions like Northern Ireland, Palestine and West-Papua. Later he moved his focus on Brazil, its rainforests and indigenous peoples. Since 2006 he lives and works as correspondent and filmmaker in Rio de Janeiro. The Depleted Uranium Question is his 5th short documentary.

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Director Statement

The US used depleted uranium weapons in Iraq, the Balkans or in Lybia, leaving behind contaminated battlefields and contaminated populations. However, the US also tested and used these weapons in their own country. What does the own population in the USA know about depleted uranium weapons? We would like to thank U.S. Air Force Veteran & DU expert Damacio Lopez from New Mexico. Few people in the world know as much about depleted uranium as Damacio.