The US election results had just come in on Wednesday night, and my American bestie needed some cheering up, so I thought I’d take her to a film.
In hindsight, Blitz – a movie about the bombing of London during World War II – might not have been the ideal choice. But I suppose it did show her that things could be worse in the world!
Steve McQueen, the director of Blitz, is not exactly known for feel-good films. His previous works include the Academy Award-winning 12 Years a Slave, a harrowing depiction of slavery in the American South, and Shame, a dark exploration of sex addiction… so, I probably should’ve known better.
Blitz doesn’t offer many laughs but awes with stunning cinematography of early 1940s London as it endures relentless bombing. The story follows nine-year-old George, who’s sent to the countryside to escape the dangers of war but decides to jump off the train and make his way back to London to reunite with his mum. Along his journey, George faces the brutal realities of wartime, encountering unsavoury profiteers and witnessing tragic fates among other children.
The film takes you right into that slice of life and realities of what it would’ve been like to live through the horrors of World War II.