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Director
Robert J. Flaherty
Credits
Producer: Michael Balcon. Writer: Robert J. Flaherty
Principal Cast
Colman King, Maggie Dirrane, Michael Dirrane
Category
DocumentaryClassic
Robert Flaherty’s seminal documentary, Man of Aran today remains one of the most important cinematic depictions of western Ireland. Initially arriving for an overnight stay, Flaherty eventually spent over two years among the native community of the Aran Islands, which are described as “wastes of rock…without trees…without soil”. The film focuses on one family that represents the larger population and chronicles their struggle to eke out an existence in environs that constantly threaten to overwhelm them. Flaherty’s bold mix of documentary and dramatic fiction has led to criticisms of the film’s veracity, but what cannot be doubted is the sheer beauty of the imagery. With its elemental drama played out against the backdrop of a vast and ever-changing sea, this remains a remarkable document of a bygone era.
Notes by Kevin Coyne.
76 minutes, UK, 1934, B&W
ARCHIVE AT LUNCHTIME: MCGAHERN: SHORT STORIES (DOUBLE BILL) 13.20
BLACKBIRD BLACKBIRD BLACKBERRY 11:00, 20:10
IFI & GAZE: UNMASCED: BEYOND THE AGGRESSIVES: 25 YEARS LATER 20.30
IFI & GAZE: UNMASCED: BUTCHES AND BOYS 18.15
IFI & GAZE: UNMASCED: OUTITUDE 13.30
IFI & GAZE: UNMASCED: SCANNÁIN SAPPHIC (IRISH LESBIAN SHORTS) 15.30
KIDNAPPED 14:30
LOVE LIES BLEEDING 16:10, 20:50
PERFECT DAYS 17:20
THAT THEY MAY FACE THE RISING SUN 11.30, 13.50, 18.30
THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE 11.20
The IFI is supported by The Arts Council