The wind that shakes the barley Juan L. Gascó November 2+0=1x2

SUMMARY The wind that shakes the barley INTRO OVERVIEW STORY AWARDS

INTRO The film features the dramatic war and the political context of Ireland during the Independence War( ) and the subsequent Irish Civil War( ). The title has been snatched from an Irish ballad song of the 19 th century, written by poet Robert Joyce. The lyrics refer to the 1798 rebellion. Shot on location in Cork(Ireland), it has been awarded several prizes in Europe, among them the Palme D´Or of the Cannes Festival. Directed by famous Ken Loach and written by Paul Laverty in 2006, being most of the cast Irish amateurs. Staunch supporters considered it as one of the most authentic best war films ever made whilst sharp critics alleged it was a sample of IRA propaganda.

OVERVIEW It is a period drama about the IRA´s urban and rural guerrillas against the British army in the early 20´s, and the Civil War that broke out after the constitution of the Free State in The revolutionary split into 2 groups as a result of the division in Ireland and the sell out of the 6 northern counties to the British(currently Northern Ireland) This brought up oblique behaviours among the two fronts of Irish nationals leading to despair and to swaggering violence by the British Blacks & Tans troops

STORY Two brothers in rural Ireland are confronted by politics, Irish republicanism and the Irish Wars against the British troops. Upon the negotiating table by founder Michael Collins, one of the brothers sees it necessary to continue fighting against both Britons and his own Irish comrades accused of colaborationism. A series of betrayals by informers, tortures and shootings by firing squads give an ultimately darkening colour to the course of actions in the film ending up with the human and physical devastation of the main characters.

CONCLUSIONS Does the means justify the ends ? How does killing in cold blood in the name of liberation change a man ? What comes next when realizing that the war is unwinnable ? Are these facts to be compared with contemporary politics ? Is terrorism the continuation of war as war is the continuation of politics ?

AWARDS Palme d´Or, Cannes Film Festival Writers Guild Of Great Britain British Independent Films Awards Irish Films and TV Awards Polish Films Society Goya Awards London Critics Circle Film Award