Darkest Hour / Thomas Ralph
rivers by a bend
Where a tree leans in
to the water’s bank
A fire will ascend.
You saw the raven
Perched on its nest of
pomp. A broken bough
Against the wind, and
against everything.
So instruct the light
in what respite, the
Significant sigh,
the causality
In each caustic cry,
cleaved by consequence.
Twice and twice the red
crocodile will wield
New wisdom expelled
of its appetite.
You will shake the rose
of its steel petals.
A finger will then
untwist this season
Out of the wind, so
out of everything.
– I, Faust (excerpt)
With the fallout of twice extending the UK’s Brexit deadline and the British House of Commons thrice rejecting the former Prime Minister Theresa May’s proposals, Brexit talks were no closer to reaching a resolution. Boris Johnson’s takeover glossed over the details, which in the end finalized the negotiations, but in all other terms, as far as a deal is concerned, is considered by some as simply another extension. Still, it seems, the time of Brexit has arrived.
Darkest Hour, this little pearl of stylish and emotive documentary filmmaking directed by Thomas Ralph and produced just after the initial referendum back in 2016 before the laborious path in which Brexit plans were to embark, continues to resonate today, more than ever.
It’s never felt quite as isolating to live on these Great British Isles as it does in the wake of the referendum. That feeling of isolation to which I refer to isn’t defined by our unknown relationship to Europe, but rather by an insidious isolationism which has seen the diverse communities of the UK withdraw into themselves with definitions clearly drawn between ‘them’ and ‘us.’ All too cognizant of the tumultuous mood of the country, Thomas Ralph decided to canvas the largely unheard views of the generation who had no say in the vote, yet will undoubtedly be the most affected, in his forthright documentary Darkest Hour.
–MarBelle / Directors Notes
It’s never felt quite as isolating to live on these Great British Isles as it does in the wake of the referendum…an insidious isolationism with definitions clearly drawn between ‘them’ and ‘us.’
Thomas Ralph / Darkest Hour (stills)
Thomas Ralph describes, “This film seeks to portray, listen and understand the generation to be most affected and for whom the situation was decided without them, the British youth.”
Darkest Hour / Directed by Thomas Ralph
Winner, Homespun Yarns 2016.
Producer, Nadira Amrani / Executive Producer, Ore Okonedo
Cinematographer, Joseph Alexander Guy
Editor, Paul O’reilly
Music, Lyves, “Darkest Hour”
