The recent documentary What Happened at Hiroshima promised a deep dive into one of history's most harrowing events—the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Yet, what viewers received was a disappointingly shallow and hurried examination of a catastrophe that reshaped the world.
Missed Opportunities
Rather than offering fresh insights or untold perspectives, the film skims the surface, relying on well-trodden archival footage and superficial commentary. The gravity of the event—its immediate devastation and long-term consequences—deserves far more than this rushed treatment.
Lack of Depth
Critical questions remain unanswered. How did the survivors rebuild their lives? What were the geopolitical ramifications beyond the immediate end of World War II? The documentary barely scratches the surface, leaving audiences with more frustration than enlightenment.
Production Flaws
Visually, the film feels cobbled together, with erratic pacing and a lack of cohesive narrative structure. The editing is choppy, and the soundtrack often feels misplaced, undermining the solemnity of the subject matter.
Final Verdict
While the intention to revisit Hiroshima's tragedy is commendable, the execution falls woefully short. This documentary fails to honour the weight of its subject, offering little more than a flimsy recap of a horror that demands thoughtful, rigorous examination.
