«Dark Hours, by Joe Wright

Cinema Wednesdays - Marina De Toro

May 10, 1940, Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. But he's not the first choice, and the hour is grave: Europe is at war. It was a metamorphosed Gary Oldman who had the demanding but highly successful task of taking on the role of the indomitable and determined Churchill. The actor pays an unimaginable tribute to this strong, but at the same time, important figure. in moments of weakness and vulnerability, which the film brilliantly portrays.

Indeed, director Joe Wright insists that Churchill is also a man who stands alone in his ideas and actions. No one supports him in early May 1940. These dark hours are aesthetically present, with most of the political scenes taking place indoors, in dimly lit, narrow rooms. On the private side, Churchill finds himself in large spaces with high windows that generously let the sun shine on the faces of those close to him.

The British speaker

The speeches are produced at any time of day; Mrs. Layton must always be with the Prime Minister, as she enables him to anchor his words and thus implement his decisions. However, her words do not please the men of the Conservative party, because for Churchill it's «victory, victory at any price (...)» and therefore there's no question of negotiating with the enemy.

Dark Hours, Dunkerque and Churchill

It is also clear that there are connections between the film in question and Dunkerque by Christopher Nolan. Indeed, the two feature-length films respond to each other: on one side, Churchill giving orders by telegram, and on the other, the soldiers carrying them out in the fear and uncertainty of never seeing their country again. The English Channel separates the political from the military, two entities that do not live side by side, but that depend on each other if the United Kingdom is to be spared tyranny.

Dark Hours is part of this memory movement, as are Churchill released last May, but it's not just about history. The film focuses on short, intense moments that were decisive for the future. However, efforts don't just fall from the sky, they require the commitment of everyone. Memory then reminds us that victory did not come without sacrifice, and that today is the fruit of tragic events that required «blood, pain, tears and sweat.»

Write to the author : marina.detoro@bluewin.ch

Photo credit: © Paris Match