Irish Film : The Emergence of a Contemporary Cinema

"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 (1997), Patriot Games (1992) and Angela's Ashes (1999). It discusses the full range of Irish cinematic productions from the low-budget work of Comerford and Breathnach, to the bigger Hollywood productions like Ron Howard's Far and Away (1992), and looks at the 'second' cinema 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, post-national cinema and the role of the state, the book provides an overview of how a relatively small film culture such as Ireland's can live successfully in the shadow of Hollywood."--Bloomsbury publishing "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) which 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 USA 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, post-national cinema and the role of the state, the book provides a unique overview of how a relatively small film culture such as Ireland s can live successfully in the shadow of Hollywood."--Jacket

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 examples of the international recognition that the growing body of Irish cinema has attained in recent years. Meanwhile, Irish film continues to increase in reputation as well as in mass. This enhanced film activity has generated considerable critical debate in Ireland and beyond about the kinds of films that are made and the representation of Ireland and the Irish they promote. Irish Film explores the dominant images of the Irish found in British and American cinema and considers the ways in which recent Irish-made films might be said to be a response to them. 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 Irish directors such as Neil Jordan and Jim Sheridan, where medium-sized budgets permitted greater creative control.

About the Author:
Martin McLoone is Senior Lecturer in Media Studies, University of Ulster at Coleraine.

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). Just after he was assassinated in 1922, the writings and speeches of Michael Collins, subject of Neil Jordan's 1996 biopic, were published in a short book called The Path to Freedom.