Pu-239

About Pu-239

Pu-239, also known as The Half Life of Timofey Berezin, is a film that was released in 2007. It is a gripping drama directed by Scott Z. Burns and written by Ken Kalfus. The plot centers on Timofey Berezin, a worker at a Russian nuclear facility. Berezin is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation during an accident and then finds out that the plant management is attempting to cover up the accident. He turns to smuggling and attempts to sell a significant amount of weapons-grade plutonium to provide for his wife and son.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Beacon Communications and Section Eight Ltd. It was primarily shot in Bucharest, Romania, standing in for the Russian city of Chelyabinsk. Director Scott Z. Burns took painstaking efforts to recreate the dismal atmosphere of a decommissioned nuclear facility and the struggle of an ordinary man against a powerful entity.

Actors

• Paddy Considine plays Timofey Berezin, the fearless and determined protagonist. Considine brings emotional depth and intensity to the character, showcasing Berezin's desperate struggle to provide for his family.
• Radha Mitchell portrays Marina Berezin, Timofey's wife. Mitchell effectively portrays the role of a woman caught between love and despair.
• Oscar Isaac plays Shiv, a small-time criminal who helps Timofey in his perilous endeavour. Isaac injects humor and heart into his character, contributing to the film’s unique blend of tragedy and comedy.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The title of the film, Pu-239, is the symbol for Plutonium-239, a radioactive isotope used in the production of nuclear weapons.
• Despite the story taking place in Russia, the movie was shot in Romania for budgetary reasons.
• The film marks one of Oscar Isaac's earlier roles before his rise to Hollywood prominence.

Awards

The film received an honorable mention at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.

Quotes

• "What you call a disaster, I call a living."
• "The greatest purity of love is when you want nothing in return."
• "You can't live your life in fear. You have to take risks."

Music, Soundtrack

• The atmospheric soundtrack of "Pu-239" adds a layer of intensity to already tense scenes. Composed by Abel Korzeniowski, the music perfectly encapsulates the bleak and desperate atmosphere of the film.