Film Screening: ‘The Water Diviner (Son Umut)’

This film the delves into the story of Australian father Joshua Connor, fantastically portrayed by film director Russell Crowe. Unfortunately, ensuing World War One’s battle of Gallipoli (Çanakkale), Connor’s three sons never return from war. After losing his wife to the heartbreak of losing her children, he leaves Australia to traverse the remaining, barren war landscapes of Gallipoli in search of them. There he meets a beautiful Turkish woman moved by his story, later offering her help and connections. The film examines the story and themes of peace following a terribly bloody war as Connor must utilize the help of Australia’s previous enemies to find out what happened to his three sons. Slightly based on author Andrew Anastasios’ The Water Diviner, the film explores the thematic essences behind the notion of how war truly has no winners. The film beautifully offers consideration of the principles surrounding the nobility behind shared experiences between strangers, and in this case previous adversaries.

Sponsored by UNC Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, and NC Consortium for Middle East Studies