The Movie is set in the 1920's dealing with the Irish-English conflict. The story surrounds two Irish Brothers who take two different paths in the Conflict. Teddy, who was involved in the IRA(Irish Republican Army) and Damien, who gives up his dream of becoming a doctor to join the Cause. They train peasants to become soldiers and in the process lose something that they cant quite put a finger on. Damien later confesses to his Love Sinead "I crossed the line". The Movie is well made, details are taken care of and it shows. There are a few scenes that draws attention to question our view of "War and Enemy". Most times when we think Enemy, we forget that the enemy is someone human, capable of emotions like ourselves, has relationships that are dear to them and suffers conflicts between duty and ideal. It also questions the reality of our beliefs and what we are capable of sacrificing for our beliefs or if its worth that sacrifice. Usually when someone is pumped for war, they are far removed from the actual bloodshed, the rolling of a head or life ebbing out of another person just like us. This movie was the winner of the Golden Palm award(highest award) at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006. It was shot in the Cork region of Ireland and has some beautiful views. The title is taken from an Irish Ballad written by Robert Dwyer Joyce (1836-1883), a Limerick(a place in Ireland)-born poet and professor of English literature. The Ballad was sung in the movie in a wake scene. Its sad and mournful.
If you get a chance, I recommend watching it.
4 comments:
Noted in my list.
I watched it a few months ago. It looked beautiful and certinly put across the abuses the Irish had to suffer at the hand of the English, which is not often discussed these days. It doesn't justify the IRA's behaviour now though, which I thought it was partially trying to do.
I think thats the deal with story telling. Most story tellers take the side of Victim or Winner. History is usually written by Winners. I think I liked the movie because it was the version mainstream media never talks about.
I'll search for it! Thanks for posting!
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