Pandora (2016)

Disaster films are nothing new. Most revolve around natural causes such as earthquakes, tidal waves, floods, or hurricanes. Rarely are there based on manmade disasters, although this is what Pandora tackles.

This film uses an earthquake to jumpstart a horrific tragedy involving an explosion of a nuclear power plant. The event takes place in a small Korean town where work at the plant seems to be the main livelihood.

The story follows Jae-Hyeok (Kim Nam-Gil), his sister-in-law (Moon Jeong-Hee), his mother (Kim Young-Ae) and his nephew (Bae Gang-Yoo) as they fight to stay alive amid the chaos and panic that ensues.

Prior to the catastrophe, an employee (Jung Jin-Young) tries to warn the government about the conditions at the plant and expresses his fears of a disaster. His warnings were unheard. Only when the explosion causes a national meltdown in the form of a deadly cloud of radiation that the government starts to act.

This film puts humanity front and center as tears, cries, and screams fill the screen amid the panic. We also see acts of selflessness from a few brave workers who return to the plant in order to prevent further national cataclysm.

Director: Park Jung-woo – Screenplay: Park Jung-woo – Cast: Kim Nam-Gil, Kim Joo-Hyun, Jung Jin-Young, Kim Young-Ae, Moon Jeong-Hee, Kim Dae-Myung, Kang Shin-Il, Yoo Seung-Mok, Lee Kyoung-Young Baek Do-bin, Choi Seung-Hoon, Bae Gang-Yoo –  Run Time: 2h 16m