I too got seriously interested in Irish History after England v Ireland at Croke Park, 2007, scene of the original Bloody Sunday in 1920. My Great Grandfather was there and was also Michael Collins intelligence officer. There are few left in my family who have any history to pass down, so I loved this because it was the life my Great Grandfather lived and provides clever comment on a time when pride, courage and political beliefs led many down a very dark path.
I started being interested in the story of Ireland when I saw the rugby game between Ireland and England a couple years ago. They sang a rousing 'anthem' (Ireland's Calling) about the freedom beauty and history of this amazing land. Rugy is a team sport so far without the hooliganism that has plagued football. In that game in Landsdown England was disappointingly playing rough and captain Martin Johnson was not cordial towards their host. Whether this is machoism or British self-importance, it was very unsportsmanlike.
Ken Loach in the great British realist film-making tradition, is one who prefers to use the local people for his films so we have Irish actors. This film is not patriotic rubbish, it offers behind-the-scenes sequence of events that happened in history. Anyone watching this film would feel powerless and angry at the level of betrayal, and devious British politics of the day. Two brothers fighting for what they believe in, with terrible consequences ... echoing what's happened in the split. I still have no plans to visit Northern Ireland.
Films & Cinema