Countdown to Zero (2010) - Synopsis

COUNTDOWN TO ZERO is a compelling documentary by renowned British filmmaker and Academy Award® nominee Lucy Walker (Waste Land, Blindsight), which offers a passionate and riveting look at the history of the atomic bomb and the chilling threat posed by nuclear arms stockpiles today. COUNTDOWN TO ZERO is the first documentary since An Inconvenient Truth to be invited to screen in Official Selection at both Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals

COUNTDOWN TO ZERO traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state of global affairs: nine nations possessing nuclear weapons capabilities with others racing to join them, with the world held in a delicate balance that could be shattered by an act of terrorism, failed diplomacy, or a simple accident. Written and directed by acclaimed documentarian Lucy Walker, the film features an array of important international statesmen, including former world leaders Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Pervez Musharraf and Tony Blair. It makes a compelling case for worldwide nuclear disarmament, an issue more topical than ever with the Obama administration working to revive this goal today.

The film was produced by Academy Award® winner Lawrence Bender (Inglourious Basterds, An Inconvenient Truth) and developed, financed and executive produced by Participant Media, together with World Security Institute. Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, Bruce Blair and Matt Brown are the film’s Executive Producers.

Global Zero will host the film’s official UK Gala screening in partnership with Dogwoof, as the opener to their UK summit on June 21. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with a number of high profile experts, which will be streamed to between 60-100 cinemas and participating venues around the country hosting simultaneous Gala screenings.