It's fair to say that HBO's hit miniseries Chernobyl has reignited interest in the horrific 1986 disaster, in which a Soviet nuclear reactor exploded, scattering radioactive fallout, and prompting an urgent clean-up effort from thousands of Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian citizens.
Critics have praised the show for its meticulously-researched accuracy, disturbing portrayal of the effects of acute radiation poisoning, and the deplorable cover-up of the full extent of the disaster by corrupt government officials.
Check out the trailer for HBO's Chernobyl below:Many viewers, some of whom were directly affected by the events depicted in the five episodes, have come forward to share their appreciation on social media. However, it now seems as though the show has prompted some Instagram influencers to exploit the catastrophe for the sake of their own personal gain.
Per CNN, Victor Korol, director of SoloEast, a tour company that has been offering trips to parts of Chernobyl for two decades, says: "We have seen a 35% rise in bookings." However, some guests' behaviour has been far from respectful, especially considering the horrific things that occurred in the city of Pripyat.
Chernobyl's screenwriter and showrunner Craig Mazin has been compelled to respond to what he views as a wave of insensitive and disrespectful tourism to Pripyat prompted by his own series. He has called out Instagrammers and fans who have taken irreverent and, in some cases, raunchy pictures of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, advising them to "comport themselves with respect".
Mazin stated: "It's wonderful that #ChernobylHBO has inspired a wave of tourism to the Zone of Exclusion. But yes, I've seen the photos going around. If you visit, please remember that a terrible tragedy occurred there. Comport yourselves with respect for all who suffered and sacrificed."
So, what is Mazin talking about? Well, it could have something to do with posts like this:
However, not everyone has taken the lessons preached by the show to heart. For example, the Russian government, outraged over the show, has announced they will be making their own version of Chernobyl where the explosion is the result of US sabotage. Wow, way to miss the point.