Contact: Laurel Higbee
Public Relations Department
P: 619.238.7559 x203
F: 619.238.8777
E: pr@mopa.org
www.mopa.org

MoPA SCREENS "THE LAST ATOMIC BOMB"
TO COMMEMORATE 62nd ANNIVERSARY OF NAGASAKI ATOMIC BOMBING

San Diego, Calif. – The Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) in Balboa Park is proud to present a special screening of the documentary film "The Last Atomic Bomb", directed by Robert Richter. The film screens in MoPA’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs Theater on August 9, 2007, at 7 p.m., and commemorates the 62nd anniversary of the Nagasaki, Japan atomic bombing on August 9, 1945.
This new feature documentary presents today’s nuclear proliferation discussion through the perspective of Nagasaki bomb survivor, Sakue Shimohira. "The Last Atomic Bomb" interweaves Shimohira’s life story with larger political themes, as she wages a personal campaign to abolish nuclear weapons. The film challenges the widely held assumption that the Nagasaki bomb was essential to end World War II and links across generations as two college students join Shimohira in her awareness campaign.
Directly after the screening, there will be at least two speakers to discuss the film and their personal experiences. Sue Carpenter, a San Diego resident, was less than one mile away from the hypocenter. She will relate what she witnessed and the consequences of the bombing on her life, both in Japan and the United States. In addition, Yasuaki Yamashita, will contribute his perspective. Yamashita, born in Nagasaki in 1939, was six years old at the time of bombing. He worked in a Nagasaki hospital dedicated to atomic bomb victims following the war, and later emigrated to Mexico. One of the film’s production managers, Shinpei Takeda, also will be present to facilitate discussion and answer questions.
Takeda hopes that hearing these stories will help stop further proliferation of nuclear weapons. “It’s one of the single biggest political discussions,” says Takeda, “but we don’t discuss the human aspect of nuclear warfare - what it means for individuals.”
This film screening is especially significant to MoPA, as its permanent collection includes over 100 photographs from Nagasaki Journey, by Yosuke Yamahata, which documents the human devastation of August 9, 1945 firsthand. Prior to making the film, Richter thought there was nothing new he might learn about the bomb. “I was wrong,” says Richter. “If you think you know all you need to know about it, then you have to see this film.” Richter, three-time Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary, is the last member of the Murrow/Friendly unit at CBS News still actively producing documentaries.
The film received the Best Documentary Feature Award at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, the Press Award for Best Documentary at the Goias (Brazil) International Environmental Film Festival and is an official selection of the Sao Paulo International Film Festival.

Tickets are free with gallery admission: $6 adults; $4 students, seniors and military; FREE to members and children under 12. Seating is first come, first serve.

Press Opportunities
Please contact MoPA’s Public Relations Department at 619-238-7559, ext. 203 or via email (pr@mopa.org) with any press related needs.

MoPA Information
The Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) is one of the few museums in the country devoted to photography, film and video. Since its founding in 1983, MoPA has been devoted to collecting, conserving and exhibiting the entire spectrum of the photographic medium. The museum’s endeavors consistently address cultural, historical and social issues through its exhibitions and public programs.

Visit www.mopa.org for information about exhibitions, programs and special events
• Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays until 9 p.m. Closed Mondays.
• Gallery admission: $6 adults; $4 students, seniors and military; FREE to members and children under 12. Admission is free to the public on the second Tuesday of the month.
• Docent Tours for student groups (elementary through college) are available free of charge with advance reservations. Tours for non-students are also available, with advance reservations, at a discounted admission rate.

The Museum of Photographic Arts is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member-supported, private, non-profit institution. Additional support for museum programs is provided in part by the City of San Diego under a program managed by its Commission for Arts and Culture, the Community Enhancement Program of the County of San Diego, as well as the California Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.