With such intelligent and poignant films on offer such as The Wind that Shakes the Barley you would think that humanity grasps the futility of war. Not.

In a nutshell…

It is 1920. The Irish are being broken down and beaten by the English that have invaded their countryside. Two brothers are separated at a young age. One joins the IRA, the other studies medicine. The film follows their journey of fighting alongside and against one another. What makes The Wind that Shakes the Barley so powerful is that it never chooses a side; it never depicts the one brother as more honorable as the other. It simply illustrates the complicated nature of the beast.

Mood of the film…

A grave subject lends itself to a grave film, but the director allowed for understated, beautiful moments that will stay with you long after you have forgotten the violence and senseless killings.

Best one liner…

A group of young IRA members contemplate the ruthless violence of the English. One of them asks, ‘Are we going to get what the Boers got?’

Best scene…

As their friend (and brother) is tortured for information, the group of young men sings Gaelic folksongs to drown out his screams and keep their own sanity.

Best performance…

The name Cillian Murphy will not mean much to the average moviegoer. (His almost see-through blue eyes, on the other hand, are very memorable.) His performances are without exception electric.

What makes the film relevant today?

Do I need to answer that?

FYI

It won the Palme d’Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

Rotten Tomatoes score

88%

My Score

85%

Youtube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3isSPB-OOWw

Boring details…

Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Liam Cunningham, William Ruane, Gerard Kearney, Padraic Delaney, Roger Allam, Orla Fitzgerald

Director: Ken Loach