THE POLYGON
"What really happened here, I learned much later."
The Polygon shines a light on the village of Sarzhal in East Kazakhstan, situated only 18kms from the perimeter of the former Semipalatinsk Test Site, that was home to over 600 nuclear detonations. Between 1949 and 1991 the Soviet Union detonated 116 above ground bombs, whose massive radioactive mushroom clouds were witnessed by thousands of innocent and unsuspecting Kazakh villagers. They gazed openmouthed at the spectacle, completely unaware that nuclear fallout was raining down on them, their children, livestock and homes. 20 years after the closure of The Polygon they are still suffering high rates of cancer, cancer related diseases and mental illness. The Polygon takes us on a journey from the twisted Cold War experiments to those victims who remain today, still suffering despite the emergence of Kazakhstan as a major economic player on the global stage.
THE FILMMAKERS
KIMBERLEY HAWRYLUK
Producer
Is an Australian actress who has worked on shows such as the British series COLD FEET, ABC’s LOST, ALL SAINTS, HOME & AWAY, TALES OF THE SOUTH SEAS, HERCULES and GLADIATORS. Kimberley entered the world of acting at age 19 while she was studying languages and international relations at Bond University. Kimberley’s foray into documentary production began in 2008 after being introduced to the plight of the people of East Kazakhstan by Struan Stevenson, MEP. Producing and directing THE POLYGON has seen her lead teams to Eastern Kazakhstan in 2008, 2010, and 2011.
VIVEK MADDALA
Composer
Is an international award-winning composer and multi-instrumental performer. He has scored numerous feature films, theater & dance productions, and TV episodes over the past decade. His extraordinarily diverse musical palette, often combining melodic symphony writing with modern ethnic textures from around the globe, has been described as "an emotive frenzy of guitar, percussion, brass, woodwinds, and strings." Although best known for his film scores, Vivek also writes, produces, and performs with various rock/jazz/world recording artists. He is a Sundance Institute Fellow for film composition, and recently had work premiere at the Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, and Sundance film festivals.
ADAM SCHOMER
Director/Producer
Is the president of i2i Productions and is known for going to extreme places and lengths to follow amazing stories. He bring insights into our selves and awareness to important issues. 2014 sees the completion of two feature documentary films that Adam directed and produced, ONE LITTLE PILL and THE POLYGON. Building on the success of his theatrically released feature documentary THE HIGHEST PASS (2012), Adam recently went back to the Himalayas, this time for a five part documentary series for television THE FOUR SACRED PEAKS OF FREEDOM, which is in post production. He is also currently developing a feature documentary that follows the emerging media markets in Africa and the educational impact it can have for diseases like HIV as well as developing several documentary series for television. A Graduate of Cornell University and now located in Santa Monica California, Adam's intention is to Unite Through Wisdom and Entertainment.
MILTON KAM
Director of Photography
Was born and raised in Suriname, a Dutch-speaking country in South America, where his early training in the fine arts cultivated the principles he has come to build on in his career. He has established himself as a cinematographer who personifies the balance between creating and caring. Milton has established close partnerships with a variety of directors such as Simon Rumley (The Living And The Dead), Paris Leonti (Daylight Robbery),Hannah Beth King (Wet), David Rocksavage (Shadows In The Sun) and Rajnesh Domalpalli, director of the acclaimed feature film Vanaja, which recently garnered Milton a Best Cinematography nomination for the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards.
SCOTT CHRISMAN
Director of Photography
Known for his ability to capture in moving image the subtitles of the human emotional spectrum. His cinematic style lends itself to a more commercial appeal, with smooth, flowing motion and finely tuned composition while his experience in the documentary world make for a perfect marriage. His understanding of technical know how and story telling ability as an editor make him well versed in the art of cinema. It has been his dream since he first started making films as a young adult to use the far reaching world of film to help effect global change.
DAN PERRET
Editor
Is a documentary Film Editor dedicated to the idea that lives are improved where knowledge and truth exists. He has worked on dozens of TV and film productions at Universal, Warner Brothers, and Fox Studios among others before embracing editing. His projects aired in the US on ABC, KCAL, Spike, TLC and The Travel Channel. Dan edited 3 feature documentaries in the last 3 years. The Highest Pass, filmed in India, won awards at the San Diego, Naples and Topanga Film Festivals. It was distributed theatrically in the United States. Dance of Liberation is in festival submissions at the LA Film Festival and AFI/Silverdocs for 2014. As an editor supporting filmmakers, Dan adheres to three basic tenets: Success comes with trying and trying again. Always maintain dignity and integrity. Be yourself, everyone else is already taken. (I wish I’d said that, but Oscar Wilde beat me to it.)