ATOMIC ED & THE BLACK HOLE

2002
Director: Ellen Spiro
Producer: Karen Bernstein
runtime: 39:40

ATOMIC ED AND THE BLACK HOLE tells the story of a former Los Alamos National Laboratory machinist-- turned atomic junk collector-- known as Atomic Ed. Over 30 years ago, Ed quit his job making "better" atomic bombs and he began collecting what he calls "nuclear waste", non-radioactive high-tech discards from the Los Alamos National Laboratory which are auctioned off dirt cheap every month in a gigantic government yard sale.

As the self-appointed curator of an unofficial museum of the nuclear age called "The Black Hole", Ed reveals a history of government waste that was literally thrown in a trash heap. By transforming his ironic junkyard into a genuine museum, Ed hopes to preserve the artifacts of Los Alamos' hidden history.

Awards and Grants

Awards: Best Documentary Short, South by Southwest Film Festival, 2001
Melbourne International Film Festival, 2001
Hot Springs International Film Festival, 2001
Peace and Justice Filmmaker's Award, 2001
Audience Award and Judges Competition First Place Award, Alibi Short Film Fiesta, Albuquerque, 2001
San Francisco Documentary Festival, 2001
SITE Santa Fe, 2001.

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