A little theory of mine

[Iolaus]

I like to collect films from Britain and Ireland, and I've come up with a little theory: Irish cinema is the most depressing thing ever. With only a few exceptions, it has held true so far. I've also included films about Ireland and Irish people. Let's review:

[....]

Boondock Saints, Irish vigilantes in Boston.

[....]

I don't think that one should be considered depressing. From what I recall, I'd call it uplifting... empowering... a message that people should take control of their own communities...

Their means may have been wrong, but the message was spot on.

[Charlie Mc.]

Personally i find Boondock Saints hilarious. Aside from that, i agree, Irish movies tend to be quite sad. It rather reminds me of an old quote about the Irish that says "All their songs are sad, and all their wars are merry." Perhaps film has replaced songs in this instance.

[ThistleDown]

"My Left Foot"?

At home the Irish see themselves as an ethereal folk, so why would their flics be anything but introspective? And perhaps even depressing. Ireland is a land of joy and sadness: uplifting music and down tales. Of course, of the twelve "depressing" films we have listed, better than one-quarter were made not by Irish for the Irish, I think.

[Phil]

Of course, of the twelve "depressing" films we have listed, better than one-quarter were made not by Irish for the Irish, I think.

I think this gets to the heart of the matter. I doubt if there is any indigenous Irish film industry so the films tend to be made by others with strongly romanticised notions of the "Braveheart" genre and where the truth is never allowed to get in the way of a good story.

[auld argonian]

Quackser Fortune Has A Cousin In The Bronx

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066266/

...although I'm guessing that it was produced by a US studio.

Best

AA

[macwilkin]

Here's to the Irish
The Men that God made mad
For all their wars are merry
And all their songs are sad.

- G.K.Chesterton

Some things never change, I suppose...

[beloitpiper]

I doubt if there is any indigenous Irish film industry

Bord Scannán na hÉireann would disagree with you.

[Carolina Kiltman]

Personally i find Boondock Saints hilarious. Aside from that, i agree, Irish movies tend to be quite sad. It rather reminds me of an old quote about the Irish that says "All their songs are sad, and all their wars are merry."

I believe it was G K Chesterton: "The Great Gaels of Ireland God hath made quite mad. All their wars are merry and all their song are sad."

There seems to a strain of this type of melancholy almost as a genetic trait. (I know I am skating on very thin ice here.) Many of my very dear friends, who are first generation Irish Americans, have this trait.

Perhaps film has replaced songs in this instance.

I think you are spot on with your conclusion here.

[macwilkin]

I believe it was G K Chesterton: "The Great Gaels of Ireland God hath made quite mad. All their wars are merry and all their song are sad."

It was -- see my post above.

T.

[Carolina Kiltman]

It was -- see my post above.

T.

Somehow I missed your post ahead of mine, sorry.