With “Civil War” by director Alex Garland (53), a film will be released in German cinemas on April 18th, which continues current developments in the USA in the most frightening way. Because instead of just showing civil war-like images like those circulating around the world after the storming of the US Capitol by wild Trump supporters, the “Civil War” has long since become a reality.
These are nightmarish events: civil war is raging in the USA of the near future. Together with her colleague Joel (“Narcos” star Wagner Moura, 47), war journalist Lee (Kirsten Dunst, 41) heads to the US capital Washington D.C. to interview the incumbent US President (Nick Offerman, 53). . But on their journey there they witness unimaginable acts in the war between the US military and the insurgent militias.
It doesn’t take much imagination to recognize the source of inspiration for “Civil War.” According to his accusers, with his story of the stolen election and the subsequent incitement, ex-President Trump personally contributed to the fact that supporters of the “MAGA” movement (“Make America Great Again”) stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021 deaths occurred. Added to this are his more than questionable statements during the current election campaign.
The film doesn’t just paint in black and white, but rather illuminates the events from different perspectives. In the United States today, the divides between Democrats on the one hand and Republicans on the other seem to be becoming increasingly insurmountable. In “Civil War” there are currently several factions, four in number: the “New People’s Army” in the north, the “Western Forces”, the “Florida Alliance” and the “Loyalist States” in the east and center stick with the current government.
What all parties have in common: the conviction that they are on the right side. An interesting casting decision here, which can already be seen in the trailer: the two married couples Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons (36) play two characters between whom the situation escalates.
Alex Garland, who was also responsible for the worthwhile sci-fi film “Ex Machina” (director and script), has brought humanity to the brink of extinction several times. As a screenwriter for the films “28 Days Later”, “Sunshine” and “Extinction” – and as a director for the latter work. However, he has never done it as realistically as now, even if only in relation to the USA.
