Neil Jordan’s landmark film – which had its Irish premiere at the Irish Film Centre in October 1992 – remains one of the key Irish films of the last 20 years. It’s a skillfully written examination of race, gender and national politics that questions the audience’s assumptions and behaviours just as it does those of the characters.

When an IRA unit including foot soldier Fergus (Stephen Rea) captures a British soldier (Forest Whitaker), a bond forms between the two men. Following the soldier’s death, Fergus travels to London to fulfil his promise to look after the man’s lover. The film contains one of the most notorious twists of recent years, and won Jordan an Oscar for his screenplay. (Notes by Kevin Coyne.)

This film is screening as part of 20/20: Landmark Films at the IFI which is part of IFI20: Celebrating 20 Years in Temple Bar.