While a world war rages, Philippe, a draft-dodger from Quebec, takes refuge in the American West, surviving by competing in Charlie Chaplin impersonation contests. As Philippe makes his long journey home, he encounters various characters under the sway of a destructive madness borne of the chaotic times. His voyage, both violent and fascinating, is a hallucinatory initiation to the darker side of the American dream.
The Great Darkened Days is a 2018 Canadian drama film, directed by Maxime Giroux. Set during World War II, the film centres on Philippe, a draft dodger from Quebec who is living as a drifter and Charlie Chaplin impersonator in the United States. Despite its setting, however, the film makes use of some deliberate anachronisms, including a scene where R.E.M.'s contemporary song "Everybody Hurts" plays on the radio.
