In times of tragedy always look for the heroes.
Worldwide – Hotel Mumbai brings the tragic 2008 terrorist attacks to life in a big screen biopic that will put you in the front seat of four days of heartbreak, humanity and heroism.
Tragedy strikes in the heart of India, as members of Lashkar-e-Taiba storm Mumbai leaving hundreds injured and dead across the city, but the movie focuses on the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel which was chosen explicitly by the terrorist group for an attack so that it will be “striking a blow against a symbol of Indian wealth and progress.”
Hotel Mumbai hits South Africans theatres on the 29 March 2019
The tone is set from the opening scene as the calm waters shot in the golden hour break with a message from the terrorist leader. It’s militant and angry; this would not be easy to watch. The tension throughout the movie is palpable. The gunshots are deafening, and the portrayal of what happened over those four tragic days become all too real.
But Hotel Mumbai is more than just a vivid account of terror; it’s a gripping true story of humanity and heroism. A reminder that in times of tragedy we need to look for the heroes.
As the militants continue their assault on the hotel, the story focuses on a desperate couple (Armie Hammer, Call Me By Your Name and Nazanin Boniadi, “Homeland”) who are forced to make unthinkable sacrifices to protect their newborn child and amid the gunfire and mayhem, a brave chef Hemant Oberoi (Anupam Kher) and a waiter (Academy Award-Nominee Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire) decide to risk their own lives to try and protect the frightened guests.
As the credits rolled and I wiped the tears from my eyes, a scene where an Indian waiter is speaking to a British hotel guest stayed with me.
He offers to remove his Pagri – a symbol of honour respect and courage that he has never taken off in public – to help her feel more comforted during the attack. She replies that she doesn’t actually believe that he is a terrorist and explains that she is just scared. He tells her that he understands but to get through this “we must stick together.”
It was a stark reminder that what the world needs right now is more love and understanding because “to get through this, we must stick together.”
Hotel Mumbai is heartbreaking, harrowing and a must see! The new film hits South Africans theatres on the 29 March 2019.
Watch the trailer below:
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