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24 September 2006
The wind that shakes the barley - a film by Ken Loach
The Wind that Shakes the Barley is a very moving film about the struggle against the British army in Ireland in 1920, followed by a Civil War in which brothers were torn apart.
The cast is excellent; the images honour the beauty of the Irish landscape; the music is deeply moving.
For those who spent some time studying Irish history, like I did, the film is of high interest. The references to socialism and Connolly are very interesting.
I still wish Connolly was pictured in a much deeper way in Irish (or anglo-saxon) cinema. James Connolly deserves to be known better. He's one of the best thinkers of Irish history. His speeches and writings had such a deep echo for socialists in the beginning of the 20th century.
The funny thing is that Connolly, although he was truly and deeply a socialist, lost his life in the Easter Rising, the symbol of the nationalist cause and struggle.
1900 - 1930 is one of the most fascinating periods of Irish history, one of struggles, hopes and defeats. Socialism never succeeded in becoming a political force, like Connolly had wanted. It died soon after being born. Nationalism remained the main issue for decades.
And the writings of Connolly were lost. His spirit was forgotten. May he be remembered one day.
James Connolly:
to learn more: http://www.marxists.org/archive/connolly/
http://irelandsown.net/jamesconnolly.htm
12:30 Posted in what the missteacher reads, listens to and watches | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this | Tags: James Connolly, Irish history, movie, The wind that shakes the barley, Ken Loach
Comments
Hi,
Like your blog, and your interest in Connolly and the period that I think of as Dublin's golden age.
Have a look at what we are doing by going to our website.
The Irish socialist renaissance has begun!
Slan
Tom
Posted by: Tom Stokes | 16 November 2006