Lore
The Second World War is perhaps one of the most filmed periods of time. Life under Hitler’s rule, the war and the Holocaust has spurned tonnes of movies that show the true horrors of the Nazi regime. Films go many ways; from the tragedy of Schindler’s List to the battles of The Great Escape. Hell, even Tarantino had his go with ultra-violent revenge killing in Inglourious Basterds. At the end of the day, we all agree; the Second World War was part of shocking history and least we never forget the horrors of the Nazi party.
But what about those who sided with the Nazi’s? What happened for them after the Allies won the war and took over Germany? And more, what happened to their children? Lore aims to tackle that.
Based on The Dark Room by Rachel Seitffert, Lore starts immediately after the end of World War 2. When Lore’s parents are arrested for being involved in the Nazi party, her and her 4 younger siblings must embark on a journey across Germany countryside in order to find sanctuary with her Grandmother in Hamburg. However, as Germany is broken and people are hunting just to survive, Lore must protect her family at every cost and protect her beliefs in mindless hope. Along the way with her struggles, Lore meets Thomas, a Jewish refugee who soon becomes their protector and ally in a country torn into a million pieces.
Lore is an extremely strong piece of cinema and the bleak days after WW2 are strife within the film. Cinematography wise, Lore is filled to the brim with darkened images, some outstanding shots and a haunting feel is capsulated. The cinematography truly adds to the brutal journey that Lore and her family must take. In many moments, we feel how harsh the land is, how broken the country is and how fragile Lore is as she battles on feeding and protecting her family. Contrasting scenes between fire and water, loud and quiet, harsh and soft are played so well within Lore that you are swept up in the tragedy of the story. Director Cate Shortland uses art to provoke, leaving impressionistic moments to truly jar with the audience.
But what really drives the heartbeat of Lore, set against this stunning visual, is that very rarely do you see what happened to the otherside. While we are all in agreement that Hitler and his believes are wrong, never do we see the portrayal of that on those who supported him. In the battle against nature, Lore is adamant still that Hitler will rise up and take the Vaterland. She so believes in the ideas her parents forced upon her that when she is forced the truth, she still refuses it. This adds to her struggle. As everyone is battling to stay alive, Lore is battling herself. Her strength and her weakness are played outstandingly by Saskia Rosendahl who plays Lore wonderfully with sullenness and pain.
You may find Lore very hard to like, the character that is, because of her constant racism and Nazi behaviour despite the world telling her it is wrong. This “heroine” very much is an anti-protagonist. You don’t like her and you aren’t supposed to initially. But as her world is turned upside down and she must fend for her family, you can’t help but truly feel the wounds of her sudden despair. You gradually come to emphasize and like her because Lore brings you into the harsh reality. And that pushes Lore, the movie, to a greatness beyond any other. Lore is filled with heartbreak and challenges your perception. It is art layered with complexity, truth and the impact of the Allies win over Germany.
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