U.N. Views Nuclear Disarmament Film

Delegates at the United Nations nuclear nonproliferation talks took a break this week for a sneak peek at Countdown to Zero, a new documentary advocating disarmament. Produced by Lawrence Bender and Jeff Skoll, the film “traces the history of the atomic bomb and makes an emotional appeal for a world without nukes,” according to the blog Take Part. The screening, organized by Secretary- -General Ban Ki-moon, was attended by Michael Douglas, a longtime anti-nuclear activist and U.N. messenger of peace. “We all must do our part in making [disarmament] a reality,” said Douglas. “An informed citizenry is a force to be reckoned with.” The Secretary-General echoed Douglas, saying, “This movie will build public pressure for change, and that is key. Because with political will, real change is possible."