A mother desperately searches for her son amid the British bombings of World War II in the harrowing new drama “Blitz” — opening in Atlanta this week from Apple Original Films.

Written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen, “Blitz” features four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan in a role that required both dramatic and musical chops.

“The singing was something that was so enjoyable from the very beginning,” says Ronan of her role as Rita, the mother separated from her young son. “I rehearsed a lot with my vocal coach, Fiona, and she just strengthened up my voice so much, and taught me how it works and how to hit higher keys that I wasn’t able to hit before.”

McQueen says he knew one of the biggest challenges of making “Blitz” would be finding the right young actor to portray Ronan’s son, George.

“A tape came in, and there was this child — this kid — and there was a stillness in him,” says McQueen. “And in a way, it was like seeing Charlie Chaplin; not in a funny way, but in a kind of beautiful, still way.”

Elliott Heffernan won the role — and had no problems with some of the film’s more terrifying scenes, including one that involves being trapped in rising water.

“It might look scary, and maybe to some people on-set it might have looked scary, but the thought of filming and then waiting around just chilling in the water was so cool,” says the young actor.

“Blitz” opens in select Atlanta theaters this week, and will be streaming on Apple TV+ later this month. To hear more from the writer-director and stars, click the video player in this article.

GEORGIA — Incumbent Fani Willis has a hefty lead over challenger Courtney Kramer in the Fulton County district attorney’s race in the 2024 general election.

The local race has garnered national attention due to two high-profile cases being prosecuted by Willis’ office: one against former President Donald Trump and another resolved case against mainstream rapper Young Thug.

The polls closed at 7 p.m. in the 2024 general election in Georgia. Candidates must clear a 50 percent plus one vote threshold to avoid a runoff.

Willis, a Democrat who endured national scrutiny during her prosecution of Trump in a racketeering case, is seeking reelection against Kramer, a Republican attorney practicing election and political law.

Trump stands accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential results with 18 others in Georgia, and Willis has faced criticism after a supposedly private improper relationship with one of her top prosecutors on the case was made public.

The former president and his allies have worked to remove Willis from the closely watched case, but as of Election Day, Willis remained as prosecutor.

Willis’ office prosecuted another high-profile defendant, rapper Jeffery “Young Thug” Williams. During a nearly yearlong trial, Williams fought against gang and racketeering charges along with five others.

Prosecutors contended Williams was the leader of an alleged street gang, Young Slime Life, while his defense claimed YSL is Williams’ record label, Young Stoner Life. Multiple witnesses have also testified to this sentiment.

Four defendants, including Williams, have pled guilty to various charges in the case. Williams was ultimately sentenced to 40 years, with five years in prison commuted to time served and 15 years probation. He is also banned from metro Atlanta for the first 10 years of his probation, excluding times when he must hold four anti-gang presentations in the metro for the youth.

Two defendants, Shannon “SB” Stillwell and Deamonte “Yak Gotti” Kendrick, remain on trial – each facing at least one murder charge along with other charges.

Kramer has consistently turned to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say she would immediately end the YSL trial if she became district attorney.

Willis has not publicly responded to Kramer’s tweets.

In the race for top county prosecutor, Patch will update with the latest unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s office as they are filed.