Christopher Nolan’s 2017 blockbuster tells the story of Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire, and France surrounded by the German Army, who were evacuated by a hastily assembled fleet of over 800 boats, including British destroyers, Royal Canadian destroyers, and a flotilla of hundreds of merchant marine boats, fishing boats, yachts and pleasure boats, and lifeboats called into service from Britain.

Dunkirk speaks to a time when real trouble comes, reminding us of the culture that can face and overcome adversity. The movie tag line is worth taking to heart: “Hope is a weapon.”