The film begins brilliantly with a reaction shot, a small girl's reaction to her brother dying before her. No explanation needed thereafter...
Despite the action montage of the trailer, the movie is actually quite low key but winds up as quickly as it begins. And in a manner both unsettling and unsuspected- not unlike The Troubles themselves...
4 comments:
As a resident of Derry and having lived through all the 'Troubles' I can say that this is the most authentic film about the period I have seen - and I have seen a lot. Very well worth a watch
Yes, it is- and coming from an experienced resident, that is quite the recommendation.
Again, the opening scene brilliantly demonstrates how someone becomes irrevocably dedicated to a cause, without question or pause for eternity. And perhaps James Marsh's documentary chops from Man On Wire also contributed to its authenticity.
Beautiful place Derry, had the distinct pleasure of visiting once. It looked all so very tranquil- until I saw the look of abject fear on the face of a solitary British soldier patrolling a neighborhood...
If I may- how is the peace holding up there?
Stan
Thanks for asking. The peace is holding up well. We have a small nucleus of dissident republicans who just won't give up the fight – and I imagine never will – but on the whole we are doing fine. Derry is the current – and first – UK city of culture and there is a real buzz about the place at the moment. The barracks where the British Army was ensconced for the duration of the troubles was handed over to the local council when it was vacated and the parade ground is now a big public space that has recently hosted rock concerts. We have a new 'peace bridge' that joins the two halves of the City and people love it. The republicans objected to the city of culture designation in the beginning because it was a UK thing – they regard Derry as an Irish city – but they got over themselves when they saw how much public support there was for it. I don't think raw sectarian has diminished that much but tolerance levels for each other are slowly on the rise.
It's all a long way from the dark days of the 1970s and there is no going back – despite the dissident republicans.
Well, that is good news- particularly considering the amount of strife and animosity that has persisted there for so long!
Perhaps it may now even serve as an example of what can be done, despite all odds, in a world so desperately filled with "Troubles."
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