Bringing their trademark leftwing politics to bear on Irish history, director Ken Loach and screenwriter Paul Lavery, through the figure of young revolutionary Damien O’Donovan (Cillian Murphy), explore the social issues involved in Ireland’s War of Independence and Civil War. Abandoning his career as a doctor, Damien comes home to Cork and joins his brother Teddy (Padraic Delaney) and committed trade unionist Dan (Liam Cunningham) in the fight against the British Empire. When The Treaty is negotiated and Civil War erupts, Damien is torn between family and his political commitments. A deserved Palme d’Or winner at Cannes, Loach offers a complex representation of the Civil War period.

Screening as part of our Capturing Conflict season, June 4th to 24th.