Voorbij de Blitz spirit? Nieuwe perspectieven in een vertrouwd verhaal

Samenvatting

Pieter de Bruijn analyses Blitz (2024): a historical drama about the nightly German bombing of British cities between September 1940 and May 1941. The film is not so much about the military background or political developments during this difficult period for Britain in the Second World War, but about the consequences of this bombing campaign for “ordinary” people. In particular, the film tells the story of nine-year-old George who, like many other children at the time, is evacuated to the countryside. What makes George's experiences different from those of many of his peers is that he frequently encounters racism during his journey. In addition to his story, we follow the perspective of his single mother, who stays behind in London with her father to work in an ammunition factory and thus support the war effort. De Bruijn points out the film's weaker points. A film like this does not really offer a better insight into historical reality. It is therefore primarily a good starting point for discussing the narrative of the “Blitz spirit” with a wider audience.