When M.T. Silvia was little, she thought it was fascinating that her mom Pauline did secret government work. But as she began to understand the ramifications of her mother’s research on the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, a horrified Silvia took action, becoming an anti-nuclear demonstrator. After decades of secrecy, Pauline has become a peace activist and whistleblower, revealing some of the US military’s most closely guarded secrets. Through their extraordinary family history, Silvia examines the legacy of atomic warfare and the range of ethical issues it presents.

Traveling to Japan to meet Hiroshima victims, Silvia learns how the effects of the atrocity have been passed on through generations. Remarkable archival materials help tell the story of the 1950s atomic testing program. Through Pauline herself we learn that she completely adopted the Cold War mentality and never questioned her work—an acquiescence which now plagues her. This is an inspiring film that recounts an important chapter in American history as well as how the Cold War and the creation of the atomic bomb were seen from a woman’s perspective.