Vicki Lesley
@vickilesley.bsky.social
Documentary filmmaker & mum in Brighton. Director, 'The Atom: A Love Affair' theatomfilm.com Hosting monthly online film club ‘The Film Thread’ & writing about work, life, & films at ‘Vicki Lesley is…Documental’ vickilesley.substack.com
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Vicki Lesley
@vickilesley.bsky.social
· Jul 10
THE FILM THREAD 🎬🪡
Welcome to The Film Thread! My hand-curated, algorithm-free members' community, where film-lovers come together to explore life's big ideas & experiences, slowly & thoughtfully, through the magic of t...
vickilesley.substack.com
Check out my new online community 'The Film Thread' - like a book group, but for films!
A slow cinema journey of curiosity & connection, tracing one theme across multiple films over many months. First season = atomic movies. Half price till the end of July 🤩 vickilesley.substack.com/p/welcome-to...
A slow cinema journey of curiosity & connection, tracing one theme across multiple films over many months. First season = atomic movies. Half price till the end of July 🤩 vickilesley.substack.com/p/welcome-to...
Here it is, my full report on Margot Bennett’s slice of mid-century atomic science served with a nice dollop of regressive ’60s gender stereotypes on the side. You can snap up your own copy for a cool 180 quid at Oxfam Books or just watch my video instead! open.substack.com/pub/vickiles... #nukesky
📖 Book report: 'The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Atomic Radiation'
A main course of mid-century atomic science served with a side helping of essentialist gender ideas in Margot Bennett's fascinating 1964 Penguin Special
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Here it is, my full report on Margot Bennett’s slice of mid-century atomic science served with a nice dollop of regressive ’60s gender stereotypes on the side. You can snap up your own copy for a cool 180 quid at Oxfam Books or just watch my video instead! open.substack.com/pub/vickiles... #nukesky
Reposted by Vicki Lesley
In response to the order by Trump for US to resume nuclear testing, the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability, of which the Western Shoshone's Native Community Action Council are a member, will be at the gates of the Nevada National Security Site for an educational Peace Camp today November 21, 2025.
November 20, 2025 at 10:29 PM
In response to the order by Trump for US to resume nuclear testing, the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability, of which the Western Shoshone's Native Community Action Council are a member, will be at the gates of the Nevada National Security Site for an educational Peace Camp today November 21, 2025.
Reposted by Vicki Lesley
🚨 JUST IN: Since it started as a producer of nuclear waste storage canisters, #Holtec has built an empire around mothballed nuclear power plants and incomplete nuclear initiatives. The firm's history of overpromising and underdelivery raises the question of whether to trust it this time.
#nukesky
#nukesky
How Holtec International became an expanding (and controversial) nuclear power
The firm's history of overpromising and underdelivery raises a question: Is this who we should trust with the future of nuclear energy?
thebulletin.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I've recorded my latest video book report, this one on my mid-1960s vintage charity shop gem, 'The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Atomic Radiation'. Full thing will be up later on this evening but here's a sneaky peak... #nukesky
November 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I've recorded my latest video book report, this one on my mid-1960s vintage charity shop gem, 'The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Atomic Radiation'. Full thing will be up later on this evening but here's a sneaky peak... #nukesky
I couldn't possibly do a season on atomic movies in my film club without including a spy thriller could I! This month's movie pick takes us to 1990s North & South Korea for some super tense nuclear espionage action in The Spy Gone North... vickilesley.substack.com/p/the-film-t... #nukesky #filmsky
The Film Thread: your must-see atomic movie pick this month 🎬🪡⚛️
Prepare to hold your breath as we enter the high-stakes, edge-of-your-seat world of nuclear espionage...
vickilesley.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I couldn't possibly do a season on atomic movies in my film club without including a spy thriller could I! This month's movie pick takes us to 1990s North & South Korea for some super tense nuclear espionage action in The Spy Gone North... vickilesley.substack.com/p/the-film-t... #nukesky #filmsky
Whilst I found the repeated telling of events from different angles rather anti-climactic, I DID really like the choice to end the film on that deliberately suspended moment before whatever happened happened. This beautifully written piece articulates much better than I could why.
"Its final silence is not a full stop, but an ellipsis - a space of suspended meaning where the audience must imagine the unimaginable."
Read my latest in @thebulletin.org 👇
#HouseofDynamite #Netflix #NuclearWeapons #NuclearWar
Read my latest in @thebulletin.org 👇
#HouseofDynamite #Netflix #NuclearWeapons #NuclearWar
A radical act of cinematic restraint: How to understand the ending of ‘A House of Dynamite’
Why the most devastating moment in A House of Dynamite is the one we never see.
thebulletin.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Whilst I found the repeated telling of events from different angles rather anti-climactic, I DID really like the choice to end the film on that deliberately suspended moment before whatever happened happened. This beautifully written piece articulates much better than I could why.
Reposted by Vicki Lesley
Today at 11:30 AM CST / 12:30 PM EST, join the Bulletin for an expert discussion unpacking "A House of Dynamite."
Watch below. ⬇️
Watch below. ⬇️
Experts React: Netflix’s 'A House of Dynamite'
A nuclear missile is headed towards the United States in 'A House of Dynamite', Netflix’s new movie from director Kathryn Bigelow. Tension builds as leaders ...
youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Today at 11:30 AM CST / 12:30 PM EST, join the Bulletin for an expert discussion unpacking "A House of Dynamite."
Watch below. ⬇️
Watch below. ⬇️
Reposted by Vicki Lesley
Nuclear testing you say?
"Nuclear Conquistadors: Military Colonialism
in #Nuclear Test Site Selection during the Cold
War”
#NuclearTesting #ColdWar #NukeSky
ipus.snu.ac.kr/eng/wp-conte...
"Nuclear Conquistadors: Military Colonialism
in #Nuclear Test Site Selection during the Cold
War”
#NuclearTesting #ColdWar #NukeSky
ipus.snu.ac.kr/eng/wp-conte...
October 31, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Nuclear testing you say?
"Nuclear Conquistadors: Military Colonialism
in #Nuclear Test Site Selection during the Cold
War”
#NuclearTesting #ColdWar #NukeSky
ipus.snu.ac.kr/eng/wp-conte...
"Nuclear Conquistadors: Military Colonialism
in #Nuclear Test Site Selection during the Cold
War”
#NuclearTesting #ColdWar #NukeSky
ipus.snu.ac.kr/eng/wp-conte...
Current reading, from my pile of charity shop finds. Published in 1964 and written by a Scottish mother of four whose first job was on a New Zealand sheep station and who later wrote crime & sci-fi novels. And that cover! I mean how could I possibly refuse? 😄 #nukesky
November 6, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Current reading, from my pile of charity shop finds. Published in 1964 and written by a Scottish mother of four whose first job was on a New Zealand sheep station and who later wrote crime & sci-fi novels. And that cover! I mean how could I possibly refuse? 😄 #nukesky
Just finished watching House of Dynamite. I made my son go to bed halfway through cos it was late and it’s school tomorrow. He was annoyed but I honestly think he already saw the best of it. It’s fantastic that Bigelow is tackling nuclear weapons but watching brought sadly diminishing returns for me
November 5, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Just finished watching House of Dynamite. I made my son go to bed halfway through cos it was late and it’s school tomorrow. He was annoyed but I honestly think he already saw the best of it. It’s fantastic that Bigelow is tackling nuclear weapons but watching brought sadly diminishing returns for me
My latest deep dive essay for my film club is out! I *really* enjoyed learning more about this late Soviet portrait of Chernobyl made just 3 years later, shot through with cinematic ambition, surreal humour & deep humanity. Shame it’s not better known #filmsky
open.substack.com/pub/vickiles...
open.substack.com/pub/vickiles...
10 Things to Know About... Raspad
Plus two Chernobyl-themed shorts to watch alongside
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:22 PM
My latest deep dive essay for my film club is out! I *really* enjoyed learning more about this late Soviet portrait of Chernobyl made just 3 years later, shot through with cinematic ambition, surreal humour & deep humanity. Shame it’s not better known #filmsky
open.substack.com/pub/vickiles...
open.substack.com/pub/vickiles...
Just finished up on a Zoom call and popped upstairs to see my son who’d arrived back from school in the meantime. After the briefest of pleasantries were exchanged he said, “Well I’ll let you get back to work…” How to tell me to get out of your bedroom without telling me to get out of your bedroom 😂
November 3, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Just finished up on a Zoom call and popped upstairs to see my son who’d arrived back from school in the meantime. After the briefest of pleasantries were exchanged he said, “Well I’ll let you get back to work…” How to tell me to get out of your bedroom without telling me to get out of your bedroom 😂
And just seen there’s an introduction from actor Ian McNeice too. Thank goodness for the iPlayer eh…😄
It’s so rare I ever scroll through the TV guide and find anything on I actually want to watch anymore. But tonight… BBC4 truly is spoiling us with gripping 1980s nuclear conspiracy thriller Edge of Darkness. Quite possibly one of the best British TV dramas ever. Don’t miss if you’ve never seen it!
November 1, 2025 at 10:06 PM
And just seen there’s an introduction from actor Ian McNeice too. Thank goodness for the iPlayer eh…😄
It’s so rare I ever scroll through the TV guide and find anything on I actually want to watch anymore. But tonight… BBC4 truly is spoiling us with gripping 1980s nuclear conspiracy thriller Edge of Darkness. Quite possibly one of the best British TV dramas ever. Don’t miss if you’ve never seen it!
November 1, 2025 at 9:59 PM
It’s so rare I ever scroll through the TV guide and find anything on I actually want to watch anymore. But tonight… BBC4 truly is spoiling us with gripping 1980s nuclear conspiracy thriller Edge of Darkness. Quite possibly one of the best British TV dramas ever. Don’t miss if you’ve never seen it!
You can watch Raspad in full on Youtube with English subtitles. I couldn't find a translated trailer but this one in the original Russian has very little dialogue and really conveys the essence of this damning, moving, blackly comic & grimly fascinating movie www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HFK...
«Розпад» (1990, Михайло Бєліков) (трейлер)
YouTube video by Довженко-Центр / Dovzhenko Center
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:38 PM
You can watch Raspad in full on Youtube with English subtitles. I couldn't find a translated trailer but this one in the original Russian has very little dialogue and really conveys the essence of this damning, moving, blackly comic & grimly fascinating movie www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HFK...
How did people in Kiev experience the catastrophe at Chernoby amidst official misinformation & a disintegrating society? That's what we'll be talking about in my online movie club this month, looking at the 1990 Soviet/Ukrainian film Raspad #filmsky #nukesky vickilesley.substack.com/p/the-film-t...
The Film Thread: your on-screen atomic drama pick for November
Confusion reigns as a reactor explodes and an empire collapses in late-Soviet Ukraine
vickilesley.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
How did people in Kiev experience the catastrophe at Chernoby amidst official misinformation & a disintegrating society? That's what we'll be talking about in my online movie club this month, looking at the 1990 Soviet/Ukrainian film Raspad #filmsky #nukesky vickilesley.substack.com/p/the-film-t...
Finally looking through and closing some of the bajillion tabs I’ve got open on my phone and I found this gem (possibly from around the time I watched The Killing of Sister George). I bet Beryl & Derek were a right pair at parties 😄 m.youtube.com/watch?v=tyPs...
Beryl Reid At Home (1958)
YouTube video by British Pathé
m.youtube.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Finally looking through and closing some of the bajillion tabs I’ve got open on my phone and I found this gem (possibly from around the time I watched The Killing of Sister George). I bet Beryl & Derek were a right pair at parties 😄 m.youtube.com/watch?v=tyPs...
Reposted by Vicki Lesley
Final Destination had nothing on British public information films.
October 14, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Final Destination had nothing on British public information films.
Tomorrow morning. Join us! 🍿⚛️☕️🥐
Got any plans for Sunday morning? Why not pop in to my online film club for a cozy chat about this hilarious/weird documentary with me & the official historian at Aldermaston. Coffee, croissants & nuclear warheads! I'd love to see you there vickilesley.substack.com/p/10-things-... #filmsky #nukesky
10 Things to Know About... 'The Plutonium Circus'
Your introductory primer and companion short in The Film Thread this month
vickilesley.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Tomorrow morning. Join us! 🍿⚛️☕️🥐
Reading about the amazing Greenham rebel women and enjoying some autumn sunshine in the community garden this morning. The reading/researching/thinking phase of a new film is such a nice place to be…
October 9, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Reading about the amazing Greenham rebel women and enjoying some autumn sunshine in the community garden this morning. The reading/researching/thinking phase of a new film is such a nice place to be…
Reposted by Vicki Lesley
October 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Got any plans for Sunday morning? Why not pop in to my online film club for a cozy chat about this hilarious/weird documentary with me & the official historian at Aldermaston. Coffee, croissants & nuclear warheads! I'd love to see you there vickilesley.substack.com/p/10-things-... #filmsky #nukesky
10 Things to Know About... 'The Plutonium Circus'
Your introductory primer and companion short in The Film Thread this month
vickilesley.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Got any plans for Sunday morning? Why not pop in to my online film club for a cozy chat about this hilarious/weird documentary with me & the official historian at Aldermaston. Coffee, croissants & nuclear warheads! I'd love to see you there vickilesley.substack.com/p/10-things-... #filmsky #nukesky
Been reading a memoir from Greenham Common this morning and it's only making me even more excited about reading the new novel from @eanstruther.bsky.social Fallout, coming to your shelves next year. Check out the trailer! #nukesky
October 3, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Been reading a memoir from Greenham Common this morning and it's only making me even more excited about reading the new novel from @eanstruther.bsky.social Fallout, coming to your shelves next year. Check out the trailer! #nukesky
This is appalling news!
Labour ask guy who says ME/CFS isn't real to review mental health & neurodiversity diagnoses, this is gna go exactly how they want it to, in order to push ppl out of access to healthcare, benefits & support – what better way to save £ than erase patients?
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/controv...
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/controv...
October 2, 2025 at 5:27 PM
This is appalling news!
You know that feeling when you've done something a hundred times and you just have to celebrate by listening to a Tragically Hip song? Just me then😄 If you've absolutely no idea what I'm on about, give this a read and all will become clear...
Monthly Meander Sept '25: Ahead by a Century
Celebrating the wins & bearing the stings with an iconic song
vickilesley.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
You know that feeling when you've done something a hundred times and you just have to celebrate by listening to a Tragically Hip song? Just me then😄 If you've absolutely no idea what I'm on about, give this a read and all will become clear...