Forest Whitaker Boards Rachid Bouchareb’s Atomic Bomb Documentary ‘Boomerang Atomic’ as Executive Producer

Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker has signed on as an executive producer for Rachid Bouchareb’s documentary Boomerang Atomic, which screens at DOC NYC in November. The film examines France’s first nuclear test, conducted on February 13, 1960, near Reggane in the Algerian Sahara. Whitaker’s involvement brings heightened visibility to a story that remains painfully relevant for communities affected by radiation. Bouchareb, known for Days of Glory and Outside the Law, explores the human and environmental toll of the blast, which France conducted during the Algerian War. The documentary adds to growing scrutiny of colonial-era nuclear testing, with calls for official acknowledgment and declassification of records. As DOC NYC approaches, Whitaker’s backing could help the film reach a wider audience and amplify demands for justice for the victims.