Summerland
directed by Jessica Swale
starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Penelope Wilton
As London suffers through “The Blitz,” Alice (Arterton) studies the illusion of floating islands in Dover. Everyone is expected to host evacuated children for the duration, but Alice resists only to eventually get shy Frank (Lucas Bond). He’s nice kid and makes friend, but his parents sent him away for safety. As Alice recalls a past lover gone missing, she bonds with the boy in a rocky relation. He flees back to London, and Alice chases him, spending an evening in a bomb shelter as terror reigns down above. Back in Dover they become friends, and Alice discover Frank is closer relation that she knew. It’s a spry story, beautifully shot and full of surprises. WW2 never looked so nice, and we all find inner strength we thought long gone.
This film was presented as part of the 2020 Florida Film Festival.
