In the movie 'Amrum', Director Fatih Akin invokes an emotional dialogue with his mentor, Hark Bohm. The film, which debuted at Cannes, arises from the synergy of these two film giants. The script, penned by Bohm, revolves around his reminiscences of the final stages of World War II which was directed and jointly edited by Akin. Surprisingly, 'Amrum' is earmarked as atypical of Akin’s typical creations and stands out as distinctly Bohm in style.

Set in the summer of 1945, the film concentrates on the experiences of the young protagonist, Nanning, played by Jasper Ole Billerbeck, on the island of Amrum off the German coast. Nanning, a member of the Hitler Youth and son of a key Nazi functionary, leads a simple life, working on a farm run by Tessa, portrayed by Diane Kruger, an anti-fascist farmer, until he is indirectly embroiled in the political tensions of the time.

When Tessa's anti-Nazi sentiments lead to her reporting by Nanning's staunch Nazi supporter mother, his world starts to unravel, exposing the harsh realities of war, politics, and adult motivations. What ensues is an adventurous journey across the island as he tries to ease his pregnant mother's despair through a quest for simple commodities now deemed luxuries – white bread, butter, and honey.

Meanwhile, he grapples with his dawning awareness of his parents’ harsh realities, his own morality, the varied political perspectives amongst the island's inhabitants, and the declining authority of the Nazis. The film tactfully juxtaposes the innocence of childhood and the grim backdrop of the Nazi era through Nanning's perspective, raising poignant questions about identity formation outside the realm of ideological doctrines.

Despite this heavy backdrop, 'Amrum' is far from being a sympathetic depiction of Nazi Germany. Instead, it offers a child's perception of a nation grappling with its identity in the twilight of a brutal regime, making this an only slightly less intense exploration of the Nazi era compared to 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' or 'JoJo Rabbit'.

The film also shines a spotlight on the wartime economy, where basic commodities become luxuries and survival becomes a daily struggle. With its strikingly calm and stunning cinematography, 'Amrum' explores war's toll, riding on the superb performance of Billerbeck, and the grounded portrayal of Kruger's Tessa serving as a moral compass in a turbulent time.