Irish Film: The Emergence of a Contemporary Cinema - Softcover

Martin McLoone

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0851707939 ISBN 13: 9780851707938

Publisher: British Film Institute, 2000

Synopsis

This is an exploration of the representation of Ireland and the Irish in British and US cinemas, as well as Irish made films. The book offers readings of a wide range of key films such as 'The Butcher Boy' (1998), 'Patriot Games' (1993) and 'Angela's Ashes' (2000). It discusses the range of Irish cinematic productions from the low budget to the bigger Hollywood productions and looks at the 'second' cinema of directors such as Neil Jordan and Jim Sheridan where medium-sized budgets allow for creative control in Ireland. With debates about national and cultural identity, post-national cinema and the role of the state, the book provides an overview of how a small film culture such as Ireland's can live successfully in the shadow of Hollywood.

About this title

Review

"A fascinating book . . . provides stimulating perspectives on recent Irish history and contributes to wider debates about nationalism and cultural identity."-- "Multimedia Information & Technology

Synopsis

Oscars for Daniel Day Lewis and Brenda Fricker for their roles in "My Left Foot" (1989) and Neil Jordan's original screenplay Oscar for "The Crying Game" (1992) are the tip of a large iceberg including other films such as "Michael Collins" (1996), and "The General" (1998) that have confirmed the growing reputation of Irish cinema. This energetic film activity has inevitably generated a considerable critical debate in Ireland and outside about the kinds of films that are made and the representation of Ireland and the Irish they promote.This book explores the dominant images of the Irish found in the cinemas of the United States and Britain and considers the ways in which recent Irish-made films might be said to offer a response to them. The bulk of the book offers detailed readings of a wide range of key films including "The Butcher Boy" (1998), "Patriot Games" (1993), and "Angela's Ashes" (2000).

It discusses the full range of Irish cinematic production from the low budget work of indigenous filmmakers like Comerford and Breathnach, to the bigger Hollywood productions like Ron Howard's "Far and Away" (1992), and the 'second' cinema of a number of directors such as Neil Jordan and Jim Sheridan where medium-sized budgets allow for greater creative control in Ireland.Feeding into wider debates about national and cultural identity, postnational cinema, and the role of the state, this book provides a unique overview of how a relatively small film culture such as Ireland's can live successfully in the shadow of Hollywood.

Edition details

• Publisher: British Film Institute
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0851707939
• ISBN 13: 9780851707938
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 264