The Shadow in My Eye

"The Shadow in My Eye" (original title: "Skyggen i mit øje"), also known as "The Bombardment," is a 2021 Danish historical drama directed by Ole Bornedal. The film is set in Copenhagen during the final months of World War II and is based on the tragic true story of Operation Carthage. On March 21, 1945, the British Royal Air Force embarked on a mission to bomb the Gestapo headquarters, the Shellhus, in Copenhagen. However, the mission had devastating consequences when one of the bombers crashed near a French-language Catholic school, leading subsequent pilots to mistake the school for their target.

The narrative weaves together the lives of several characters whose paths converge on this fateful day. We follow Henry, a young boy left traumatized and mute after witnessing a brutal air attack. He is sent to Copenhagen, where he befriends his cousin Rigmor and her friend Eva, students at the French school. Another central storyline involves Sister Teresa, a young novice at the school who is grappling with her faith in the face of the horrors of war, and her complex relationship with a young Danish man, Frederik, who works for the HIPO corps, the Danish auxiliary police assisting the Gestapo. The film meticulously builds the tension leading up to the raid, exploring the lives of the children, the nuns, the collaborators, and the British pilots, showing the human side of all involved before the catastrophic event unfolds.

The core meaning of "The Shadow in My Eye" revolves around the devastating and indiscriminate nature of war, particularly its impact on the innocent. Director Ole Bornedal stated his intention was to tell the story of the war "through the eyes of children," focusing on "innocence versus machines, of the child who falls victim to the horrors of coincidence." The film poignantly illustrates that in conflict, there are no clear winners, only varying degrees of loss and suffering. It challenges the black-and-white narrative of good versus evil often present in war films, by humanizing characters on different sides of the conflict, including a Danish collaborator. The film serves as a memorial to a forgotten tragedy and a powerful anti-war statement, emphasizing that the greatest casualties are often civilians, and their stories are the ones that must be remembered to comprehend the true cost of war.

While the film's main message is a clear anti-war statement, some alternative interpretations can be considered. The ending, with Eva found alive and eating her porridge, can be seen not just as a depiction of random survival, but also as a symbol of life's persistence and the human spirit's ability to find normalcy even in the most horrific circumstances. Her focus on a simple, childlike need in the aftermath of such devastation can be interpreted as a psychological coping mechanism, a retreat into the familiar to shield herself from the trauma she has witnessed. Another interpretation could focus on the film's title, "The Shadow in My Eye." While it directly refers to the physical and psychological impact of the bombing, it could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the dark side of humanity that war exposes. The "shadow" is not just the falling bombs, but the moral compromises, the loss of faith, and the capacity for violence that exists within all people, even those who believe they are fighting for a just cause. The film's nuanced portrayal of the collaborator, Frederik, supports this interpretation, suggesting that the line between good and evil is not always clear, and that the shadow of war falls on everyone.

"The Shadow in My Eye" had a significant cultural impact in Denmark by bringing a relatively forgotten national tragedy to the forefront of public consciousness. While the bombing of the Shellhus was a known event, the immense collateral damage and the loss of so many children at the French school was a story that had not been widely told in popular culture. The film sparked renewed interest and discussion about this painful chapter of Danish history. Internationally, its release on Netflix as "The Bombardment" introduced the story to a global audience, many of whom were unaware of the event. The film was praised for its powerful and unflinching depiction of the horrors of war from a civilian perspective, particularly that of children. However, it also faced criticism and debate over its historical accuracy, particularly a fabricated scene involving a dying child, which led to a public discussion about the responsibilities of historical fiction. The film's raw and emotional portrayal of a real-life tragedy resonated with audiences and critics, serving as a stark reminder of the human cost of war.

Audience reception for "The Shadow in My Eye" has been largely positive, with many viewers praising its emotional power and unflinching portrayal of a tragic historical event. Audiences were particularly moved by the performances of the child actors, who brought a heartbreaking authenticity to their roles. The film's ability to create a deep sense of dread and its powerful, emotional climax were frequently highlighted as strengths. However, some viewers found the film to be relentlessly grim and difficult to watch due to its subject matter. A common point of criticism was that some of the adult character arcs, particularly the romance between Teresa and Frederik, felt underdeveloped compared to the compelling stories of the children. Overall, the film has been lauded as a poignant and important work of historical drama that leaves a lasting impact on its viewers.