London River (2009)

In the unsettling shadow of the 2005 London terrorist attacks, the compelling narrative of London River unfolds. The story traces the journey of Elizabeth, an Academy Award® nominee Brenda Blethyn, a woman shaped by the simplicity of her agrarian life in Guernsey. When the devastating news of the bombings reach her, the silence of her daughter sends a chill down her spine, compelling her to venture into the chaotic heart of London. The city, teeming with unfamiliar faces and punctuated by the unfamiliarity of her daughter's predominantly Muslim neighborhood, amplifies her rising tide of fear and prejudice. Her world is thrown further into disarray when she uncovers her daughter's secret conversion to Islam. Amidst this chaos, she repeatedly encounters Ousmane, a West African soul played by Berlin's Silver Bear winner, Sotigui Kouyaté. Ousmane has traveled from France, his heart burdened with the same desperate hope of finding his son, who has vanished without a trace in the wake of the bombings. Elizabeth and Ousmane, two strangers from divergent backgrounds, find their lives unexpectedly intertwined. They grapple with the shocking revelation that their children had been living together at the time of the tragic attacks. In this hive of uncertainty, they put their cultural differences aside, drawing strength from each other. Their shared hope for their children's survival becomes a beacon in the overwhelming darkness, keeping their faith in humanity alive. London River is a poignant exploration of despair, hope, and the unexpected ties that bind us together in the face of adversity. This captivating tale promises to grip viewers with its raw emotional intensity and compelling narrative.

London River is a drama movie featuring Brenda Blethyn.

London River is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on MUBI.