A sympathetic look at Republicans in early 20th century Ireland, and two brothers who are torn apart by anti-Brit rebellion.
Land of Ire: St. Patrick's Day Film Festival
Hosted by the North By West Foundation, LAND OF IRE goes beyond shamrock and leprechaun based cliches to bring you a three day event exploring the hundreds-of-years-old culture of resistance and political struggle in Ireland with
The Wind That Shakes The Barley
on March 15th, and
Bloody Sunday
on March 16th.
Colonized by the English in the 16th century, Ireland experienced centuries of warfare, famine, and other incalculable horrors as a consequence of English rule until the early 20th Century when the Irish Republican Army wrests control of Ireland from the United Kingdom. It's this rebellion in the 1920's that provides the backdrop for the events of
The Wind That Shakes The Barley
, a 2006 historical drama in which two brothers fight for Irish freedom only to find themselves on opposing factions after independence is won.
More than fifty years later, these tensions reach their climax in a violent sectarian conflict between Protestants in support of Britain and Catholics in support of an independent Ireland. Britain deploys special forces to maintain order in Northern Ireland while non-violent protesters and the paramilitary units of the IRA work to undermine Protestant rule.
Bloody Sunday
is a historical drama that depicts the real-life events of January 30th, 1972 when British soldiers opened fire on unarmed Irish nationalist protesters.
On Monday the 17th, we'll be screening a family film approproiate for children: the 1994 John Sayles film,
The Secret of Roan Inish
, is a fantasy drama centered around the traditonal Irish myth of the Selkie- magical half seal, half human creatures.
About North By West
North by West
is an exciting new non-profit foundation with the goal of enriching the cultural life of the Pacific Northwest through events centered around art, food, storytelling, education, and entertainment.