Pevere on “Barley”
A brilliant review by the Toronto Star‘s Geoff Pevere of Ken Loach‘s The Wind That Shakes The Barley, a sobering drama about the terrible price paid by Irish militants in their battle against British troops in the early 1920s. Pevere compares what Loach is saying about violent means — “when it comes to deciding to kill, there is no end” — to the traditional American six-shooter philosophy that “violence is a reasonable means to a justified end — especially if it pre-empts or avenges other forms of violence.”
Awesome philosophy, but someone needs to show it to Muslims.
“when it comes to deciding to kill, there is no end”
“violence is a reasonable means to a justified end — especially if it pre-empts or avenges other forms of violence.”
When I hear those phrases, I immediately think of Al-Qaeda and Islamic terrorists. Most people on this site think of American soldiers from Iowa. I think that’s about as fundamental a disparity in thought as can exist, and no argument can really get past that.
Awesome philosophy, but someone needs to show it to the Irish…
You know what, NYCDB? There isn’t a movie in your idea. It’s obvious and goes without saying. It’s like saying Muslim terrorists ought to watch Dr. Strangelove to learn about why nuclear weapons programs are a bad idea.
Of course, WTSTB is barely getting a theatrical release in this country. It’s in NY & LA right now, and will be available on Comcast pay-per-view this weekend in other markets.
who is it that said “violence begets more violence.” its not exclusive to any race or religion..
I think life is brutal and exhausting enough without having the Irish to contend with, and I just decided early on I didn’t want to go there
The great thing about WTSTB (unlike so many of NYCBB’s screeds) is that it doesn’t really take sides like I expected it would. Its sympathies start out pretty clear, but it’s about more than the Irish vs. the English and by the end notions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are definitely muddied by the actions of the characters in the film. Ultimately, it’s these actions and their after effects you remember rather than the political ins and outs of the historical context.
I hear Loach is directing the sequel to 300 next…
I want to amend what I said. Loach does take sides…he’s clearly on the side of the Irish. It’s kind of a given, but ultimately that’s not really what the film is about.
Ok, I feel better now.
Awesome philosophy, but someone needs to show it to the Irish…
“Awesome philosophy, but someone needs to show it to the Irish…”
It’s called “The Northern Irish Peace Process”. You might want to Google it..
The great thing about WTSTB (unlike so many of NYCBB’s screeds) is that it doesn’t really take sides like I expected it would. Its sympathies start out pretty clear, but it’s about more than the Irish vs. the English and by the end notions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are definitely muddied by the actions of the characters in the film. Ultimately, it’s these actions and their after effects you remember rather than the political ins and outs of the historical context.
I want to amend what I said. Loach does take sides…he’s clearly on the side of the Irish. It’s kind of a given, but ultimately that’s not really what the film is about.
Ok, I feel better now.
Amazing thing about life in the republic of eire – lived there for a work project for 8 months off and on – and was amazed by the role – the emphasis – placed on art – and it vital role in a society – especially literature poetry drama – theaters everywhere – and all with a point of view – but – the willingness to use art – especially theater – to understand their own history and work past it – was pretty mindboggling – plays etc about their history of violence in the family – alcoholism – men abandoning families – was being explored in the theater – and confronted with an eye towards change – that sort of self examination – was not something I see in the US – especially since it was not about blaming the church or the brits – but about themselves – left there with a much stronger sense of why art – film – theater – is so important – the sort of supports provided to the arts and artists in Ireland is pretty amazing too – for sure not happening here
The Wind That Shakes The Barley absolutely does take sides. Not the side of “the Irish”, but the side of the anti-Treaty Irish who preferred to fight a bloody Civil War against their brothers and sisters rather than accept the compromise deal worked out with the British (semi-independence and partition). The film’s pro-De Valera/anti-Collins views are frankly ridiculous and insultingly simplistic.
High Chaparral, even with two stabs at it, I worded my comments poorly. You’re talking about the film after about the half way point when the focus has shifted from the fight between Irish and British to the fight between the Irish themselves. I foolishly referred only to the first half of the film.
***These next comments aren’t exactly SPOILER free so skip them if you’re worried about it***
As I said, Loach’s sympathies are clear but what I took from the film wasn’t a sense of who was right or who was wrong, but the enormous toll taken on the character we were supposed to be rooting for. Even if his motives were honorable, his actions destroyed him.
High Chaparral, even with two stabs at it, I worded my comments poorly. You’re talking about the film after about the half way point when the focus has shifted from the fight between Irish and British to the fight between the Irish themselves. I foolishly referred only to the first half of the film.
***These next comments aren’t exactly SPOILER free so skip them if you’re worried about it***
As I said, Loach’s sympathies are clear but what I took from the film wasn’t a sense of who was right or who was wrong, but the enormous toll taken on the character we were supposed to be rooting for. Even if his motives were honorable, his actions destroyed him.