CHORNOBYL: INSIDE THE NEW SAFE CONFINEMENT
Step Inside the Exclusion Zone
Forty years after the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 1986, the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine remains one of the most complex and haunting environments on Earth. Standing as a testament to global cooperation is the New Safe Confinement (NSC)—the largest moveable metal structure ever built, designed to seal off the highly radioactive remains of Reactor 4 for the next century.
Commissioned by the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) to mark the 40th anniversary of the disaster, this immersive documentary takes you deep into the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, a landscape shaped by catastrophe and resilience.
Through a blend of powerful 360-degree visuals and personal testimonies, past and present converge, revealing human stories behind the disaster and its aftermath. Moving beyond observation, this documentary experience invites audiences to inhabit collective memory, reflect on environmental responsibility, and witness a space where history is still unfolding.
JOIN THE CREATOR’S TALK AT THE RAINDANCE IMMERSIVE SUMMIT ON JUNE 12 | Chornobyl: Inside the New Safe Confinement
Join us at the Raindance Immersive Summit, where Henry Stuart, Director of Photography and Immersive Technology Lead, will take you behind the scenes of a production that navigated strict radiation monitoring, dosimetry protocols, and the unique challenges of working in a high-security shelter punctured by a Russian drone only months prior to the shoot.
Henry will anchor his talk around filming in a restricted zone under the shadow of modern warfare and invisible radiation. Through this lens, the project highlights not only the enduring legacy of a 20th-century catastrophe but also the resilience required to preserve its history amidst a 21st-century conflict.
EXPERIENCE CHORNOBYL: INSIDE THE NEW SAFE CONFINEMENT IN LONDON
Experience this important documentary first hand at our Raindance Immersive XR Showcase in London.
WHEN: June 23rd–25th
WHERE: NEON 194 Piccadilly (right next door to BAFTA)
ACCESS:
Open to all Raindance Festival pass holders.
General Public: Everyone is welcome, with festival day passes available to purchase on the door for £25.
CREDITS
Production Company: VISUALISE
Commissioner: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Presenter / Writer: Jonathan Wells
Director of Photography / Immersive Technology Lead: Henry Stuart
Music: Sam Dinley
Sound Design: Henrik Oppermann
Post-Production / 360 Stitching: Jack Oestergaard-Churchill
On-screen Contributors: Jonathan Wells, Natalia (1986 Pripyat evacuee), Viktor (shift supervisor, New Safe Confinement)
Country of Production: United Kingdom (co-production with Ukraine)
Immersive Documentary | Runtime: 7 mins | Platform: Meta Quest