67 Bombs to Enid: A Documentation of Individuals Residing in the Heart of the Country That Destroyed Theirs

      Enid, Oklahoma, a predominantly white community located centrally in the United States, has an unexpectedly large population of individuals from the Marshall Islands, an archipelago consisting of over 1,200 islands situated between Hawaii and the Philippines. Even residents who have lived there for a long time are puzzled by the presence of thousands of Marshallese in Oklahoma, and the unsettling documentary "67 Bombs to Enid" provides a chilling explanation.

      Between 1946 and 1958, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands, primarily at Bikini Atoll. This led to increased cancer rates, prompting many Marshallese to flee their islands as they deemed the land and food sources unfit for habitation due to radiation. A 2012 report from the United Nations stated that "near-irreversible environmental contamination" resulted in "indefinite displacement."

      The bombings were intended to assess the power of nuclear weapons amidst the intensifying arms race with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. One particularly devastating test, Castle Bravo, on March 1, 1954, was a thousand times stronger than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.

      In 1946, King Juda, the leader of the islands, agreed to allow the temporary relocation of Bikini Atoll's residents at the request of the U.S. government, believing that the nuclear tests would serve humanity's greater good. However, miscalculations and prevailing winds resulted in widespread radiation across large areas of the islands.

      Some Marshallese featured in "67 Bombs to Enid" feel they were exploited as "rats" or "guinea pigs" to observe the bombings' impact on human beings. This suspicion is fueled by a 1950s news segment included in the documentary, which depicts Marshallese men—described as "savages" by the reporter—undergoing tests for radiation effects.

      The film, which screened Friday at the El Paso Film Festival, highlights numerous Marshallese now residing in the very country that bombed and contaminated their homeland.

      The documentary portrays some local residents of Enid welcoming the Marshallese, celebrating their culture, and striving to rectify historical injustices. Conversely, others express concerns that these newcomers might be seeking financial aid from the U.S. government, seemingly oblivious to the fact that it was the actions of past U.S. administrations that caused their suffering.

      The Marshallese effort to integrate often includes military service. Although a treaty with the U.S. government permits them to work and pay taxes in the U.S., they remain ineligible to vote.

      A number of Marshallese settled in Enid after several missionaries visited the town for educational purposes in the late 1970s and extended invitations to friends and family. "67 Bombs to Enid" profiles many of these individuals, including a man who witnessed the bombs illuminate the ocean skies during his childhood.

      The film illustrates their medical hardships and the challenges of adapting to life far from their native land, while also highlighting their resilience, pride, and affection.

      “It’s a beautiful community of people, and a resilient community of people. They’ve endured terrible experiences, but they carry themselves with vibrancy and beauty,” remarked Zach Passero, the film's co-producer based in El Paso, during a post-screening Q&A.

      Passero is one of the connections from El Paso to the film. Another is Andrew Smetek, also based in El Paso, who contributed to the careful yet subtle sound design.

      In producing "67 Bombs to Enid," co-directors Kevin Ford and Ty McMahan shared at the Q&A with Carlos F. Corral, founder and artistic director of the El Paso Film Festival, that they created the film on a shoestring budget, feeling compelled to share this significant narrative. Renowned documentarian Errol Morris joined as an executive producer to help raise awareness.

      Their efforts are paying off: the United Nations has shown interest in screening "67 Bombs to Enid," which is currently making its way through various film festivals with the aim of achieving widespread distribution. They hope the film will encourage audiences globally to take the threat of nuclear weapons more seriously.

      “Nuclear weapons make headlines every day now. So, our mission has expanded—to shine a light on the dangers of nuclear arms,” McMahan stated, noting his background as a former Wall Street Journal reporter with films such as "The Mundo King," "The Toy Cart," and "The 34 Project."

      “Even if not actively used in warfare, the potential for accidental detonation exists, which could devastate entire regions and result in thousands of years of radiation-related illnesses,” added Ford, who has worked on projects like the Richard Linklater-produced documentary "The Pushback."

      The El Paso Film Festival, recognized by MovieMaker as one of the 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee and one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals, continues until Saturday.

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