Brrrr Cold War: Filmmaker R.J. Cutler To Drill Into Secret 1960s Plan To Turn Greenland Into U.S. Nuclear Missile Base
EXCLUSIVE: Award-winning director R.J. Cutler's latest project is taking him to a very remote and very icy environment.
He's at work on a documentary about Camp Century, a U.S. military installation built in Greenland at the height of the Cold War. Officially billed at the time as, 'Nothing to see here, folks – we're just studying the feasibility of ice-cap military outposts,' the site's true purpose was only revealed decades later: a secret nuclear missile complex buried underneath the Greenland ice sheet.
More from Deadline
Doc Talk Podcast: R.J. Cutler Responds To Martha Stewart's Criticism Of His Netflix Doc, Shares Scoops On Elton John, Billie Eilish Films
In 'Murf The Surf,' Director R.J. Cutler Explores Dashing Jewel Thief-Turned Murderer Who Became A Proto-True Crime Celebrity
Roll Camera: Inaugural Ladyface Mountain Film Festival Set To Open Thursday In Agoura Hills, Just Outside L.A.
The highly classified endeavor was dubbed Project Iceworm (a vaguely sinister appellation that would have delighted Ernst Stavro Blofeld), 'a major military installation, with almost two miles of covered trenches as well as laboratories, an underground railway track and a… portable nuclear reactor to supply power,' as the Washington Post reported. The underground city 'was planned to eventually be three times the size of Denmark… include more than 2,000 firing positions through which the 600 MRBMs (nicknamed 'Iceman missiles') could be moved on rail cars.'
Cutler tells Deadline, 'The largely unknown story of Camp Century – this top-secret military base hidden under the ice of Greenland – is such a rich metaphor for the eternal desire to bury our secrets. But secrets always come out, and as the Arctic ice melts, Camp Century is coming into clear view.'
Last month, Pres. Trump called for the U.S. to take possession of Greenland, which is controlled by Denmark. He also raised that specter (should I say 'Spectre'?) in his first term, but this time hasn't ruled out military action to achieve his goal. However, the Cutler documentary project could examine a downside to seizing Greenland (apart from disrupting the NATO alliance): the site is strewn with hazardous material.
That includes '9,200 tons of building equipment, 53,000 gallons of diesel fuel, carcinogenic chemicals used in paint, and radioactive cooling water from the camp's portable nuclear reactor,' the Post reports. 'A 2016 study suggested that these contaminants are likely to be released in a few decades' time as a warmer climate continues to melt the ice sheet.'
'I've been fascinated by the mystery of Camp Century for some time,' Cutler notes. 'Greenland is suddenly back in the news, but the territory's strategic importance—rich in natural resources and crucial for military positioning—has long captivated American leaders. Our film will tell a great story, while also looking at the broader implications of Arctic geopolitics in an era of climate change and global power shifts.'
Camp Century and Project Iceworm caused significant environmental damage, but a potential benefit of the secret installation has recently emerged. Back in the 1960s when the military construction plan was being implemented, scientists 'drilled through more than 4,500 feet of ice to pull up a 12-foot-long soil and rock sample from beneath the ice sheet,' as CNN reported in 2023. That preserved ice core is now being studied to offer clues about the impact of climate change and the potential for dramatically higher sea levels.
The ice core reached soils dating back 400,000 and scientists discovered, to their surprise, that it showed Greenland in that earlier epoch was ice-free. Their study, published in Science magazine, augurs trouble ahead for humanity as ice once again recedes from Greenland, this time caused by human-generated global warming.
'It's really the first bulletproof evidence that much of the Greenland ice sheet vanished when it got warm,' Prof. Paul Bierman, lead author of the study, told CNN. 'Greenland's past, preserved in 12 feet of frozen soil, suggests a warm, wet, and largely ice-free future for planet Earth.'
No estimated timetable for the release of Cutler's documentary has been announced. It's a production of This Machine, the company Cutler launched in 2020 that's a part of Sony Pictures Television.
The filmmaker directed two documentaries in 2024: Elton John: Never Too Late (co-directed with David Furnish) which has an earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, and Martha, his film about Queen of Hearths Martha Stewart. He has several projects in the works in addition to the Camp Century documentary, including the baseball-focused documentary series Fight for Glory: World Series 2024.
Cutler is a two-time winner of the primetime Emmy Award, for Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium (2023) and American High (2001). He won a News and Documentary Emmy for Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul (2024). He began his filmmaking career as a producer on the Oscar-nominated classic documentary The War Room, directed by D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
Best of Deadline
Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan's Next Film – 'The Odyssey': Release Date, Cast And More
2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More
2024 Hollywood & Media Deaths: Photo Gallery & Obituaries
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kennedy Center Dealt Tough Sales News In First Half of 2025
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has experienced a downturn in subscriptions sales through the first part of 2025. According to internal numbers obtained by the Washington Post, the center has logged $2,656,524 in sales as of June 1, plus $155,243 from a new mix-and-match package. That is a sizable drop--around 36%--from the $4,413,147 it generated up to this point in 2024. The data encompasses all of the center's performances across theater, dance, classical music, and youth genres. The subscription packages are a portion of the institution's overall revenue, which also includes donations, individual ticket sales, government funding and other sources. According to an anonymous staff member who leaked the figures, current and former Kennedy Center workers are blaming the drop in sales on the change in leadership under President Donald Trump, who took control of the center in February and was appointed chair. Trump then replaced the institution's longtime president with Richard Grenell, a member of Trump's cabinet during his first term in office and the administration's special presidential envoy for special missions. Additionally, Donna Arduin Kauranen became the center's new CFO. 'We understand providing information like this can be seen in a bad light,' the current staffer told the Post. 'But we feel that it is necessary to show that mismanagement by the new leadership is becoming a real problem for the health of the organization." Theater subscriptions have seen the steepest decline, down 82% from last year through the first two weeks of the campaign. Dance and ballet subscriptions have dropped 57%, while youth performances are down 85%. Classical music subscriptions have also declined, albeit at a slower rate. Additionally, several high-profile shows, such as Hamilton, have been canceled since Trump's appointment. "Ticket buyers, subscribers, and donors have spoken with their wallets, not against a Republican being in charge, but against the hostile takeover of their performing arts center," said the anonymous staff member. Kennedy Center Dealt Tough Sales News In First Half of 2025 first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025
Time Magazine
an hour ago
- Time Magazine
Breaking Down the Gripping Ending of Netflix Crime Drama Sara – Woman in the Shadows
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Sara - Woman in the Shadows Sara: Woman in the Shadows, a new gripping crime drama from Netflix, follows an ex-secret agent who is navigating a world of corruption, secrets, and danger as she seeks justice for her murdered son. Over six episodes, the series delves deep into themes of loss and betrayal, as Sara fights against a broken system. The finale of Sara: Woman in the Shadows reveals the truth behind the death of Sara's son, Giorgio. For years, Sara lived immersed in pain and a relentless quest for justice, convinced that the car accident that took her son's life was a tragic coincidence. However, her investigation reveals a much darker truth. Here's how the series answers its biggest questions. What we learn about Ludovico Terzani Ludovico Terzani, a respected city doctor, was officially named responsible for the traffic accident in which Giorgio died. The police classified the case as an accident, but Sara refused to accept this version. Gradually, through investigations and cross-checking information, Sara discovered that Ludovico was involved in a complex personal plot: he was having an extramarital affair with Silvia Prati, a woman who had been Giorgio's lover. The relationship between Ludovico and Silvia sparked deadly resentment—Ludovico feared Giorgio might expose the affair and ruin his reputation. In the very first episode, Sara obtains evidence proving that Giorgio's death by hit-and-run was not an accident, but a premeditated act by Ludovico, who used his influence to try to cover it up. However, lacking sufficient legal proof to formally charge him and with the police covering up the case, Sara takes matters of justice into her own hands. Throughout the series, it becomes clear that corruption and collusion between police authorities and influential figures prevents the truth from being revealed. Ludovico has powerful contacts and was able to manipulate the investigation to make it look like an accident. Giorgio's death served to protect larger interests, such as contracts and political relationships between the city's influential families. Sara's revenge In the final episode, Sara confronts Ludovico. With the same coldness with which he took her son from her, Sara enacts her revenge and kills him, ensuring he pays for the crime he committed. This act transforms Sara into a vigilante—a woman who breaks through corrupt laws and a broken system to seek justice on her own terms. Sara isn't the only character in the series who embodies resistance in a world that consistently denies her justice. Sara's friend from her secret agent days, Teresa, is also taking matters into her own hands after also losing a loved one to a corrupt system. Teresa's husband, Sergio, was murdered by the mobster Enrico Vigilante—someone authorities stopped trying to find due to internal politics. Out of this pain, both women chose to act alone, outside the law, becoming relentless avengers. Teresa does not hesitate to deliver the final blow to Vigilante, while Sara uses her intelligence and skills to expose the dirty game behind her son's murder. They take on the role that institutions failed to fulfill: protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty. The invisible legacy In the end, Sara is left with one last crucial gift from her mentor, Massimiliano—a CD with an enigmatic message. More than just a file, it is a call to action, a reminder that the fight against corruption did not end with his death. The series closes the main storyline with Vigilante's death and the truth about Sergio's murder revealed. But the shadows remain—corruption is still alive, and Sara, and Teresa take on their roles as guardians of a world that offers them no protection. And so, Sara: Woman in the Shadows ends with the promise that as long as injustice exists, there will be those who fight—and that true justice is born in the hands of those who refuse to give up.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘We don't half-ass anything': Simone Biles reflects on her Netflix docuseries and hints at 2028 Olympics
"We don't half-ass anything. We want it to be great." That's how Olympic champion Simone Biles describes the effort behind her acclaimed Netflix series Simone Biles Rising. Directed by Katie Walsh, the docuseries chronicles the gymnastics superstar's remarkable journey as she navigates the aftermath of her withdrawal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns. Through moments of vulnerability and resilience, the series captures Biles rebuilding her skills and mental fortitude — all while preparing for her triumphant return to the sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics. More from GoldDerby 'Adolescence' soars past 'Stranger Things' to become Netflix's new No. 2 original show (behind only 'Wednesday') 'My Mom Jayne': Mariska Hargitay is reclaiming her family story in HBO doc about her iconic mother Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell take 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' in today's top stories In a personal and reflective conversation, the GOAT shared raw insights into her life — her unparalleled achievements, struggles, comeback, and a look to the future — alongside director Katie Walsh during an Emmys FYC event hosted by Emmy-nominated actress Yvonne Orji (Insecure). The gymnast revealed she wasn't sure if she wanted to be followed around by cameras for four years. "It took me a lot of time through therapy — and it was really a commitment to do," Biles admitted. "[Katie and I] saw the need in the athletic world for more sports docuseries. We sat down and [shared ideas] before deciding, 'OK, if we're going to do this, we're really going to go for it. ... It needs to have a story.'" Walsh said her top priority was ensuring Biles felt good about her competitive journey throughout the filming process. "My motto is 'people before projects' and I put everything through that filter," the director explained. The open dialogue included periodic check-ins to make sure Biles was prepared for interviews about "sensitive" topics. Biles said the film crew eventually became like family, joking, "Sometimes I would give them the code to my house, like, 'OK, you guys can come in. Just make sure the dogs don't run out.'"Of course, Biles' journey wouldn't be complete without her reflections on Tokyo 2020, where the world watched as she confronted mental and physical challenges on the grandest stage. The gymnast had to look away from the screen as hundreds of Emmy voters in attendance watched clips of Biles suffering through "the twisties" — a mental block where a gymnast loses sense of spatial orientation and body control while performing aerial maneuvers — which ultimately forced her to drop out of the games. "I was like, 'How am I supposed to tell them that this is bad bad?'" Biles recalled. Ultimately, the star's vulnerability during Tokyo sparked broader conversations about mental health in sports. Biles said she was physically in the best shape of her life in Tokyo, but mentally the weakest. After successfully making her comeback to the Paris Olympics four years later, Biles suffered a partially torn calf muscle during warm-ups. She candidly shared her fear of being labeled a quitter in the face of her battles: "The one thing that came into my head as soon as I did it, I was like, 'They're going to call me a quitter again. ... Absolutely not on my dime, not on my watch. Ain't happening. I'm going to show them.'' Biles clarified the difference between battling physical and mental struggles in sport. "We can push through pain. We're on the Olympic stage. I told my coach, 'I feel like if I just strangle my calf, I can do it.' Tokyo was different from this moment. Twisties is mental alignment with physical. You can't [push through] that." Biles, already the most accomplished gymnast of all time, also teased her potential return for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles: "I'm not sure at what capacity because, if we've learned anything from the docuseries, it's that your mind and your body have to be in sync." For now, she's taking time off to support her husband, football player Jonathan Owens, and to physically recuperate. "What we put our bodies through on the mat is a lot. ... At my age of 28, it's getting old, you know?" "For a gymnast, that's old," Biles laughed. "I started out at age 4, OK?" Although noncommittal about her competitive future, Biles emphasized her enthusiasm for being involved in the L.A. Games in any capacity: "I do believe that I will be in L.A. I'm just not sure at what capacity yet — if that's on the mat or in the stands. But I'd be more than happy to attend in any way that I can." Simone Biles Rising is streaming on Netflix. Best of GoldDerby Jacob Elordi reveals personal reason for joining 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North': 'It was something important to me' Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez on how the 'Agatha All Along' cast 'became a coven' when recording 'The Ballad of the Witches' Road' Jason Schwartzman on the breakneck 'Mountainhead' production: 'I've never done anything like it in my life' Click here to read the full article.
