BUNKER
A film by Jenny Perlin
2021, 92 minutes
2021, 92 minutes
No. 364
Documentary
Documentary
Description
Bunker investigates the increasing number of American men who have decided to live in decommissioned military bunkers and nuclear missile silos, and follows the process of building and selling these structures to the wealthy and not-so-wealthy alike.
More and more American men are deciding to live alone in decommissioned military bunkers and nuclear missile silos, even as an upscale industry begins to cater to “preppers,” people who fear the imminent breakdown of society and the destruction of the United States. In Bunker, filmmaker Jenny Perlin journeys by herself into the middle of America to meet such men, and the builders and salesmen who cater to them. The film, shot in verité and slow cinema style, follows a uniquely American path, going from undisclosed location to undisclosed location, from the headquarters of a bunker construction firm to the homes of men who have cut themselves off from society, and then to a newly constructed isolated retreat and an upscale nuclear missile silo where developers claim they can re-create New York City life hundreds of feet underground. Investigating toxic American myths, including self-reliance, masculinity, home safety and security, and family life in a time of climate crisis, economic upheaval, and political strife, Bunker reveals pathological inner workings of an American phenomenon on the rise.
More and more American men are deciding to live alone in decommissioned military bunkers and nuclear missile silos, even as an upscale industry begins to cater to “preppers,” people who fear the imminent breakdown of society and the destruction of the United States. In Bunker, filmmaker Jenny Perlin journeys by herself into the middle of America to meet such men, and the builders and salesmen who cater to them. The film, shot in verité and slow cinema style, follows a uniquely American path, going from undisclosed location to undisclosed location, from the headquarters of a bunker construction firm to the homes of men who have cut themselves off from society, and then to a newly constructed isolated retreat and an upscale nuclear missile silo where developers claim they can re-create New York City life hundreds of feet underground. Investigating toxic American myths, including self-reliance, masculinity, home safety and security, and family life in a time of climate crisis, economic upheaval, and political strife, Bunker reveals pathological inner workings of an American phenomenon on the rise.
Festivals
Official Selection, MoMA Doc Fortnight
Reviews
One of the Ten Best Films of 2022 - Screen Slate
