Bringing his trademark left-wing politics to bear on Irish history, director Ken Loach here, through the figure of young revolutionary Damien O’Donovan (Cillian Murphy), explores the social issues involved in Ireland’s War of Independence and Civil War. Abandoning his career as a doctor, Damien joins his brother Teddy (Padraic Delaney) and committed trade unionist Dan (Liam Cunningham) in the fight against the British Empire, receiving training in fields using sticks and experiencing guerrilla combat and even capture. Partial success in the form of a divisive treaty with Britain sparks a Civil War that finds Damien’s family ties coming into conflict with his political commitments. A Palme D’or winner at the Cannes Film Festival, Loach offers a cinematic vision of Irish history which focuses on questions of nation and revolution through the eyes of a community.