‘Oppenheimer’ Test Victim Embraces Oscar-Winning Movie Despite Criticisms

“Oppenheimer” has achieved immense success grossing nearly $1 billion and securing the Best Picture title, yet it faces criticism, particularly from those impacted by atomic testing. However, post-Oscars, some individuals are open to forgiveness while retaining memories of the past.

One notable critique leveled at the Christopher Nolan-directed production is its perceived neglect of the enduring radiation exposure and cancer cases prevalent among generations of New Mexico residents post the 1945 nuclear test in July.

Despite these concerns, one of the affected souls, Wesley Burris, voiced no animosity towards the film’s accolades. He expressed doubts about the cast and crew’s awareness of the victims’ history and the events spanning almost eight decades.

The historical incident took place during thunderstorms at the White Sands Missile Range, leading to toxic fallout contaminating the environment and exposing New Mexico residents to harmful radiation through the water, food chain, and the landscape.

Reflecting on the life-altering experience at the age of 5, Wesley vividly recalls the detonation’s blinding brightness resembling the sun, catapulting him out of his bed with sheer force.

The aftermath has been devastating for Wesley and his family, manifesting in skin cancer for him, radiation cancer for his brother, breast cancer for his sister, her daughter born with leukemia, and losing friends to cancer linked to the atomic test.

While acknowledging the government’s potential ignorance of the consequences, Wesley critiques the failure to alert residents beforehand, considering the lack of information as a significant shortcoming.

He further reveals that there was a prolonged period of unawareness among the inhabitants, only learning about the nature of the incident years later, deeming it a nuclear test.

Regarding the film, Wesley attended a screening and found it commendable, yet he emphasizes the importance of unveiling the genuine consequences post-event, highlighting the lingering effects causing fatalities.

Tina Cordova, a co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, shared insights on how the nuclear testing repercussions persist among New Mexico families in a recent appearance on “TMZ Live,” including her own family’s experiences residing near the explosion.

Tina adopts a critical stance, believing that both the literal and metaphorical aftermath was deliberately excluded from the movie, echoing the historical neglect experienced by New Mexico residents under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990, limited to states like Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.