There is a danger in making a film about an event as significant as the London bombings; even six years later, racial and religious tensions remain. London River illustrates these issues through the relationship between Elizabeth and Ousmane. Despite their differences, they discover that their lives are inextricably interwoven, and that by working together they can assist each other. They also discover what they have in common, such as how little they know about their adult children.
Together Elizabeth and Ousmane continue the desperate search for their loved ones, checking the lists of names at hospital casualty wards and viewing unidentified remains at a mortuary. Many victims, they are informed, will only be identified by DNA, so complete was their obliteration.
Eventually Elizabeth comes to trust and respect Ousmane. He confides in her his fear that his son was one of the radicals who detonated the bombs. Their farewell embrace is both moving and comical — her head barely reaches the old man’s chest. Subtle moments like this make London River powerful and important.
BILL SWANNIE is senior lawyer at the Tenants Union of Victoria.