A soldier seeks forgiveness from his victims in the fractured War On Terror tale Atonement
Boyd Holbrook, Kenneth Branagh, and Hiam Abbass all seek Atonement in this real-life war drama.
In 2012, New Yorker staff writer Dexter Filkins published an article titled "Atonement," reflecting on the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the subsequent War on Terror. The piece focused on a tragedy that occurred in Baghdad in 2003, involving the unjust killing of a family and the subsequent role of a U.S. marine in their deaths. Filkins explored the institutional failures surrounding rules of engagement and the mental health support available for veterans returning from combat zones.
An adaptation of Filkins' article, titled "Atonement," is a film directed by Reed Van Dyk. The story follows Lou D’Alessandro, a marine who was discharged as Other Than Honorable after testing positive for drugs during his tour in Iraq. D’Alessandro struggles with PTSD and violent outbursts, haunted by his role in the massacre of innocent Iraqis during his time in Baghdad.
The film takes the audience through his attempts to seek forgiveness and connect with the family members he wronged, alongside the assistance of frontline correspondent Michael Reid.
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