A little theory of mine

[beloitpiper]

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:

Omagh, a film about the 1998 RIRA bombing of the same name.
Wind That Shakes The Barley, story of a Cork flying column in the 1920's.
Michael Collins, biopic about the Irish revolutionary.
The Field, a man trying to save the land he loves. (This one is especially depressing.
Bloody Sunday, about the massacre of the same name.
Boondock Saints, Irish vigilantes in Boston.
Black Irish, an Irish-American family in Boston.
Gangs of New York, Irish immigrants vs. American natives in 19th century New York.
Kings, Connemara men reuniting due to a friend's funeral.
The Boxer, a boxer mixed up in the IRA.
Johnny Was, an ex-IRA man gets mixed up with the old crowd again.
In The Name of the Father, a father and son accused of IRA activities.


Now, to be fair, here are some not-depressing Irish films:
The Quiet Man, two hours of every Irish stereotype ever conceived.
Darby O'Gill and the Little People, Disney film. Nuff said.
Waking Ned Divine, a town tries to get lottery winnings after the ticket-holder dies.
The Secret of Roan Inish, a girl discovers her magical heritage and her family returns to their ancestral island.
Once, a charming film about two people brought together with music.



I'm sure I'm missing some, but I feel like this ratio is pretty realistic. What do you think?

[Sionnach]

Have you seen one called The Legend of Roan Inish- I didn't think it was depressing, though there is some melancholy.

[KiltedSurveyor]

Our whole family really enjoys The Secret of Roan Inish

[KiltedSurveyor]

Sionnach beat me to the punch!

[beloitpiper]

Have you seen one called The Legend of Roan Inish- I didn't think it was depressing, though there is some melancholy.

Our whole family really enjoys The Secret of Roan Inish

Ah! You're right! I forgot it. Yes, that one was nice. I'll put it on the "happy" list.

[Sionnach]

I had the title wrong, Kiltedsurveyor, so I acquiesce "beating to the punch" rights.

"Ryan's Daughter" was a great, though, depressing film as well, and though about Ireland was American(?) made, I think(?), not sure.

So far, Beloitpiper, I think your theory is holding.

So how about "The Crying Game", or am I going to far afield re "Irish" movies?

[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.