The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)

 The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Ken Loach

Ireland/United Kingdom

The “Troubles” in Ireland have their roots in the Irish War of Independence, in which a band of rebels, some would call them freedom fighters, yet others might say terrorists, fought against British troops stationed in Ireland. They were demanding Home Rule be granted to their country, so they could have independence from the British government. Leaders from both sides struck the Anglo-Irish Treaty after a few years of bitter struggle. Some Irish backed this agreement while others felt it was a "sell out" because the treaty granted them some representation, but not complete freedom from the British government. This led to the Irish Civil War in which brother fought against brother for what they felt was the right path towards liberty. Those that supported the Irish Free State felt they could settle things with the Brits with diplomacy and politics while the Anti-Treaty IRA (Irish Republican Army) wanted total freedom on their own terms. The film shows that a war with an outside force can lead to war within. The lengthy conflict that still creates sporadic violence is a touchy subject for both the Irish and the Brits. A mention of the “Troubles” can elicit fierce emotions on either side of the Irish Sea due to issues of patriotism, nationalism, religion, oppression and deaths that have occurred from the fighting.

The Wind that Shakes the Barley is a film about both of these wars (Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War), the treaty and the emotions on each side of the Irish Civil War. The film by British director, Ken Loach, won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival which is the sought-after Grand Prize of one, if not the, most important film festivals in the world. It became the highest-grossing Irish-made independent film ever. As a result of the controversial subject matter, some reviewers gave it negative press and attacked it without even seeing it (they couldn't have because it had only been shown at Cannes at that time and they were not in attendance.) Even now, film message boards are blowing up on the internet over the subject matter of the film with people taking opposite sides and arguing. Loach is known best for making films about social issues like homelessness, child abuse and labor rights. He lends his style of social realism to a war story set in the picturesque Irish countryside. 

 

The film shows both points of view through the two brothers who make up the films main protagonists: Cillian Murphy as Damien O'Donovan (a doctor) and Pádraic Delaney as Teddy O'Donovan (a young man itching for conflict with the British.) The film opens up with Damien set to go to London to attend an internship at a prestigious hospital, but before he can leave the country, he views two conflicts with the British military also known as the Black and Tans. In one instance, a friend of his is killed right before him for not telling the soldiers his name in English (instead, he would only answer in Gaelic.) So he joins the fight for freedom and goes on a number of missions using guerrilla warfare tactics against the much larger British military. The film is comparable to Lawrence of Arabia in the kind of warfare used, as well as the reaction of the natives to the British political machine. The tactics used by the British are shown to be horrible and shocking. Because the film takes place around 1920 – 1925, you only get a taste of what is to come over the next 80 years or so. By the time the credits role, the fight still has a long way to go.

Threatening to cheapen the story is a love subplot, which is thankfully tastefully presented and does not take too much from the main story. It is used to soften and humanize the main character and display the emotional effect that war can have on family and loved ones. The cinematography is beautiful, portraying stark realities of war in a dreamlike place of great natural beauty. It might not be possible to make an ugly film in Ireland, the land is just too gorgeous. The war is shown on a small scale and never goes into action film territory. There is even a scene where the viewer believes an explosion is going to occur but the bomb malfunctions and never goes off. Loach doesn’t want to glorify the violence that happens in battle by amping up the level of excitement, but does show some of the horrific results. In many war films, people are killed with no emotion shown from the surviving side, but here it shows the effect killing someone can have on the morale of a soldier. Every life taken is dwelt upon with great sadness and victories often seem bittersweet. This is a passionate film that is truthful in presentation and lends insight as to how a terrible war can occur in such a beautiful and proud land.

Rating: 8/10

-Ryan Sallows

Next time: A review of Cannes Film Festival Camera d'Or winner and Romanian political satire, 12:08 East of Bucharest.