Did The Company Order Her Death? (Press, 16 July 1984)

"Silkwood," directed by Mike Nichols and featuring a screenplay by Nora Ephron and Alice Arlen, is a film that examines the true story of Karen Silkwood, a working-class woman whose life became symbolic of the dangers of nuclear industry negligence. Set against the backdrop of the Kerr-McGee plutonium-recycling plant in Oklahoma, the film traces Silkwood’s journey as she uncovers significant safety violations at the plant during the early 1970s. Silkwood’s role at the plant involved handling plutonium and uranium to create fuel pellets for nuclear reactors. Over time, she experienced incidents leading to her plutonium contamination and began to question the plant’s safety protocols. Silkwood suspected that the company was not only flouting safety regulations but also concealing serious flaws in their equipment, potentially putting workers at risk. Her newfound awareness positioned her as a threat to the company, receiving pushback both from her employers and from colleagues who feared job losses due to her whistleblowing. Tragically, Silkwood died on November 13, 1974, in a car accident while en route to meet a New York Times reporter with evidence of her claims. The film raises questions about the circumstances of her death, pondering whether it was an unfortunate accident or a deliberate act orchestrated by the company to silence her. Notably, an autopsy revealed tranquillisers and a slight amount of alcohol in her system, adding further ambiguity to her final moments. The film does not conclusively answer these questions but suggests, without overtly stating it, that foul play may have occurred. The narrative positions Silkwood’s story alongside wider fears regarding nuclear safety, reminiscent of other films that coincided with real-life nuclear incidents, such as "The China Syndrome." However, "Silkwood" lacks a contemporary issue that directly supports its narrative, instead echoing a broader historical apprehension towards the nuclear industry. Although the film deals with significant themes, critiques arise regarding the performances, particularly Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Silkwood, which was described as self-conscious rather than convincingly authentic for a working-class character. In contrast, supporting roles played by Kurt Russell and Cher have been praised for their more relatable and naturalistic depictions. Dramatic moments within the film culminate with the song “Amazing Grace,” which plays during Silkwood’s death scene, although the choice of this song and the evidence presented throughout the story have been critiqued as ambiguous and unclear. Despite being a notable narrative in the U.S., Silkwood’s story has not received substantial coverage in New Zealand, where this film may resonate with ongoing themes of distrust towards authority and corporate power. As such, "Silkwood" serves as a chilling reminder of the perils faced by whistleblowers in the pursuit of truth within dangerous industries.

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