Title: New Thriller ‘Shoshana’ Explores the Tumultuous History of British Palestine
In a major development for movie enthusiasts, acclaimed director Michael Winterbottom and screenwriter Frank Cotrell-Boyce have unveiled their highly-anticipated films at the 32nd Dinard Film Festival. Both Winterbottom and Cotrell-Boyce have earned their reputation as one of the most successful and prolific pairings in the industry, having collaborated on six films between 1997 and 2005.
At the festival, Cotrell-Boyce showcased his animated adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s adventure novel, Kensuke’s Kingdom. Collaborating with directors Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry, Cotrell-Boyce created a thrilling all-ages animation featuring a clever sheepdog, marauding animal poachers, and a long-shipwrecked Japanese veteran of World War II. The film boasts remarkable performances by Ken Watanabe and Cillian Murphy.
Winterbottom, on the other hand, presented his first feature film since 2019’s Greed. Titled Shoshana, the movie delves into the tumultuous history of British Palestine from 1938 to the violent foundation of the Israeli state. Winterbottom, along with co-writers Laurence Coriat and Paul Viragh, brings a complex political and historical moment to the silver screen. The film opens with Irina Starshenbaum delivering a truncated lecture over archive footage, supported by the use of newsreels to bridge historical developments.
Inspired by real events and characters, Shoshana begins in Tel Aviv, where British authorities struggle to contain militant Zionist groups and escalating tensions between Jews and Arabs. The story revolves around Thomas Wilkin (played by Douglas Booth), an English assistant superintendent who engages in a passionate affair with Shoshana (portrayed by Starshenbaum), a member of the Haganah territorial army and daughter of Ber Borochov, a Russian Marxist Zionist.
As resentments between the communities and factions intensify, Wilkin teams up with the pragmatic Geoffrey Morton (played by Harry Melling), an operative determined to control radical Zionists in Tel Aviv, just as he did with the Arabs up north. In the face of fierce resistance and car bombings, Thomas’s relationship with Shoshana becomes even more complicated due to her involvement with Haganah. The pursuit of Avraham Stern (portrayed by Aury Alby), the leader of the paramilitary organization Irgun, leads to a series of escalating actions from both sides, including armed robberies, market explosions, interrogational torture, and executions. The film presents a morbid scene where a young radical is hanged under the watchful eye of British high commissioner’s assistant, Robert Chambers (excellently portrayed by Ian Hart).
While the film occasionally loses focus on its eponymous heroine’s radicalization, the narrative remains immersive, drawing audiences into the world of police procedure against a backdrop of historical events. The historical marriage between Shoshana and Wilkin is condensed into a few unnecessary sex scenes, which does little to contribute to the overall plot.
David Holmes’s score adds another layer of complexity to the film, effortlessly transitioning from angular propulsion to smooth jazz. However, some critics argue that Shoshana tries to pack too much into its runtime.
Drawing inspiration from Graham Greene and his novel The Quiet American, Winterbottom manages to capture the frenzy of a tumultuous era while simultaneously offering a cautionary tale drawn from historical events. The exceptional performances by Booth, Mellor, and Starshenbaum highlight the moral complexities that arise under extreme circumstances and the normalization of extremism.
Visually stunning, thanks to Sergio Tribastone’s production designs, Anthony Unwin’s costumes, and Giles Nuttgens’ cinematography, the film provides an intriguing blend of political and historical drama.
Despite its occasional flaws, Shoshana is an ambitious thriller that sheds light on the turbulent history of British Palestine, revealing the tensions, conflicts, and lasting impact of that era. Winterbottom and Cotrell-Boyce continue to showcase their immense talent and storytelling prowess, offering a gripping viewing experience for audiences worldwide.
