| SOS: The San Onofre Syndrome | |
| Director: |
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| Producer: | Mary Beth Brangan |
| Production Companies: | Ecological Options Network |
| Cinematography: | James Heddle |
| Music: | Christopher Hedge |
| Editing: | Morgan Peterson |
| Animator: | TheBureau.tv |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Runtime: | 97 minutes |
SOS - The San Onofre Syndrome: Nuclear Power’s Legacy is a documentary film that reveals the potential health risks and environmental consequences from the millions of pounds of radioactive waste placed at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station only 108 feet from the rising ocean that could affect present and future generations. Mismanagement of toxic long-lived radioactive waste is a syndrome shared by many nuclear reactor sites in the United States and beyond.[1] It was directed by James Heddle, Mary Beth Brangan, and Morgan Peterson.
The film has earned recognition at several prestigious cinema festivals. It received the Grand Jury Award for Documentary Feature at the 2023 Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, California,[2] as well as the Best Educational Documentary Award at the 2024 International Uranium Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro.
SOS: The San Onofre Syndrome delves into the efforts of Southern California residents to address safety concerns about the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station deteriorating condition until its final shutdown in 2013.[3] And the subsequent realization of a new threat: the presence of vast quantities of nuclear waste stored by the sea next to crumbling bluffs, with radioactivity that will persist for millions of years. SOS is a documentary to raise awareness of this global problem and points to current best practices for waste management. Filmed over 12 years, the documentary investigates public concerns and community opposition to the nuclear station through interviews with residents, activists, engineers, and nuclear energy experts.[4]
The film documents Prime Minister Naoto Kan's visit on June 4th, 2013 to San Diego to participate in a panel entitled “Fukushima: Ongoing Lessons for California” next to Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairman Gregory Jaczko, former NRC Commissioner Peter A. Bradford, and nuclear engineer Arnie Gundersen, where they discussed nuclear power's risks.[5] The producer Mary Beth Brangan stated in an interview that the Fukushima accident catalyzed her and her life partner James Heddle into the making of this film.[6]
The documentary has been recognized at several international film festivals and has received awards for its impact and social awareness. Notable awards include:
The following individuals were featured in the film: [14]