Ireland's subservience under English rule has brought about several historic moves for independence dating as far back as the 12th Century. Ken Loach's 2006 film, "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," set in 1920, reveals the story of two brothers, Damien (Cillian Murphy) and Teddy (Pádraic Delaney), whose fight for independence depicts a love of Ireland that both share equally but from opposing sides.
Damien abandons his hopes of being a doctor to join his brother in Ireland's historic and controversial fight when Irish workers formed guerrilla armies to fight back the onslaught of rampant violence and abuse from the infamous "Black and Tans" and the "Auxiliaries" sent by the British.
In 1916, the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army staged a monumental uprising in Dublin during Easter, which brought about a separatist movement toward independence. A general election in 1918 established an Irish parliament, the Dáil Eireann, promoted by the Sinn Féin (We Ourselves) political party based in Dublin to declare Irish independence.
However, famine, evictions and poverty, as a result of the English ruling class that wished to maintain the status quo, continued as the British government refused to accept Ireland's independence. When the Dáil was outlawed, the Republic went underground and the Irish Volunteers became the Irish Republican Army.
A well-run and organized network by the IRA ran the Dáil courts with most violent fighting occurring in Cork, Northern Ireland, where the film is set. In July of 1920, a truce was declared and the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed in December 1921. But this created a violent split with anti-treaty Republicans resistance resulting in former comrades being pitted against each other.
The treaty created a schism for Damien and Teddy, who are left little choice but to battle for their ideals despite their bond as brothers. Loach carefully constructed this story about freedom fighters through Ireland's political and cultural landscape to create a remarkable inside look at the ideals behind the birth of the IRA. Although the accents are thick, the story undoubtedly reveals itself through action and place.
Loach is known for his British socialist realism, which has made him one of England's most acclaimed film directors. Through his own independent film making, he reveals the beauty and consequences of history through glorious landscapes and attention to detail in historic recreation.
"The Wind That Shakes the Barley" was a winner of the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and won 2007 European Film Award for best cinematography. It will be showing at the Magic Lantern Cinemas Spring Film Festival.
For a complete schedule of films, visit magiclaterncinemas.com.
Showtimes:
"The Wind That Shakes the Barley"
- Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., · Sunday, 7 p.m.
- Monday and Tuesday, 4:15 p.m.
Cillian Murphy as Damien and Pádraic Delaney as Teddy in ?The Wind That Shakes the Barley,? directed by Ken Loach.
An IFC First Take release. Photo credit: Joss Barratt
