War movies, and by that I include any film that depicts battles of any kind including the Marvel blockbuster variety, that do not engage with the devastation of war are doing its audience a disservice. This film has become notorious for its graphic portrayal of a group of children being killed, injured, and trapped in rubble by an attack during WWII. The film may be a difficult watch, but it is also important to watch. In our lives we engage with the moral questions as our governments engage in military operations around the world and our stories need to wrestle with the reality of war and its consequences.
It is known by different names in different countries but by whatever name, this film is beautifully made and incredible to watch. The film brings us into it by introducing us effectively to a swatch of characters from innocent children to Nazi collaborators and it does so in ways that invest us in all of them, even those involved in evil. Then the film builds to its centre piece, a bombing performed by the British, the good guys, remember? That kills and maims many innocents. The film takes us through painful situation after painful situation. It is gruelling in the way it brings us into the lives cut short by state violence, even state violence that is on the side of "good."
And that is the point and power of this film. It reminds us that the blood is on all our hands. Perhaps that makes it even more difficult to wrestle with. Situations like this are often unimaginable, yet people live them all the time. So this film's power comes in how it forces us not to look away, not to let our apathy and racism keep us from facing it head on.
And maybe only then can we engage more deeply with the real world decisions to violence.
The Shadow In My Eye/The Bombardment/Skyggen i mit øje
Starring: Alex Hugh Andersen, Danica Curcic, Fanny Bornedal
Writer/Director: Ole Bornedal
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