13 December 2001 Edition
Film review
by Laura Friel "Song for Ireland"
by film maker Arthur MacCaig
Thank goodness for people like Art MacCaig. As an independent film maker, Art has chronicled the struggle of Irish people for freedom, justice and an end to British occupation in the north, throughout the last thirty years of conflict.
Speaking for myself, as a teenager growing up in England, where British censorship of the Civil Rights Movement and subsequent uprising in the North of Ireland left most of us bewildered and ill informed, the screening of 'Patriot Game' in a shabby London club was a pivotal moment in my own and many others developing political awareness.
Patriot Game, the first film made by the then young Irish American Art MacCaig, has since become a classic, shown in countries throughout the world and viewed by thousands of people. Footage of that early period of the struggle captured by the film maker remains unrivalled even today.
Since then, Art has been responsible for a range of documentaries including 'Irish Ways', 'War and Peace in Ireland' and 'Irish Voices'. In his latest film 'Song for Ireland' Art explores the dynamic between cultural and political struggle.
But this isn't an obscure theoretical tract, like all Art's films this is about real people living their lives and reflecting on their experiences. The footage includes many familiar songs, sometimes written and mostly performed by people involved in the struggle. Songs of defiance, sadder songs of reflection, songs about the past, present and longed-for future.
It retells the story of Ireland's struggle against oppression and injustice, in a straightforward uncompromising way, in the voices of her people.
Amongst those interviewed are Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane, who was the IRA POWs Commanding Officer in Long Kesh during the 1981 Hunger Strike, and Chris Byrne of the Irish-American band Seanachaoi.
People like Art MacCaig, who court neither fame nor fortune, but whose contribution remains invaluable are few and far between.
'Song of Ireland' will be screened in Belfast on Friday 14 December at the Roddy McCorley social club, Glen Road. For further information contact 028 90742171.
by film maker Arthur MacCaig
Thank goodness for people like Art MacCaig. As an independent film maker, Art has chronicled the struggle of Irish people for freedom, justice and an end to British occupation in the north, throughout the last thirty years of conflict.
Speaking for myself, as a teenager growing up in England, where British censorship of the Civil Rights Movement and subsequent uprising in the North of Ireland left most of us bewildered and ill informed, the screening of 'Patriot Game' in a shabby London club was a pivotal moment in my own and many others developing political awareness.
Patriot Game, the first film made by the then young Irish American Art MacCaig, has since become a classic, shown in countries throughout the world and viewed by thousands of people. Footage of that early period of the struggle captured by the film maker remains unrivalled even today.
Since then, Art has been responsible for a range of documentaries including 'Irish Ways', 'War and Peace in Ireland' and 'Irish Voices'. In his latest film 'Song for Ireland' Art explores the dynamic between cultural and political struggle.
But this isn't an obscure theoretical tract, like all Art's films this is about real people living their lives and reflecting on their experiences. The footage includes many familiar songs, sometimes written and mostly performed by people involved in the struggle. Songs of defiance, sadder songs of reflection, songs about the past, present and longed-for future.
It retells the story of Ireland's struggle against oppression and injustice, in a straightforward uncompromising way, in the voices of her people.
Amongst those interviewed are Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane, who was the IRA POWs Commanding Officer in Long Kesh during the 1981 Hunger Strike, and Chris Byrne of the Irish-American band Seanachaoi.
People like Art MacCaig, who court neither fame nor fortune, but whose contribution remains invaluable are few and far between.
'Song of Ireland' will be screened in Belfast on Friday 14 December at the Roddy McCorley social club, Glen Road. For further information contact 028 90742171.