The concept of national identity is one of the most interesting in the field of media study as it is both shaping and shaped by it. However, the question of why and how film and national identity are related is the focus of this case study concerning "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" (TWTSB). With the help of the film this paper aims to depict the complexity of national identity in the contemporary globalised media. Especially the contrast between the textual and the contextual side will be taken into account to establish a critical representation of the British.
There will be different questions addressed; starting with the development of national identity with its relation to media on a more theoretical basis. Secondly, the case study will be analysed with regards to the Anglo-Irish relationship. Although the film appears to be in favour of the Irish revolution in the War of Independence it is the contextual side which highlights the complexity and actuality of the British representation. Therefore, the last chapter will show how director Ken Loach and screenwriter Paul Laverty use the Irish perspective to criticise their own national history. Here, Irish national identity is constructed via an outsider’s perspective. Hence, national identity is re-constructed to depict rather global issues of oppressing working classes by the ruling class.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theoretical Background: National identity and its relation to film
- National identity
- The heritage film
- Case Study: The Wind That Shakes the Barley
- Textual Side
- Contextual side
- TWTSB as heritage film
- Social realist film
- Conclusion
- Sources
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This case study aims to analyze the complex relationship between film and national identity, specifically in the context of the film "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" (TWTSB). The study will explore how the film depicts British national identity, contrasting its textual representation with its contextual implications, and investigating the film's portrayal of the Anglo-Irish relationship during the Irish War of Independence.
- The construction and representation of national identity in film.
- The role of heritage films in shaping national identity.
- The Anglo-Irish relationship and the Irish War of Independence.
- The use of an outsider's perspective to critique national history.
- The portrayal of class conflict and the oppression of working classes.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction establishes the study's focus on national identity and its connection to film. It highlights the importance of exploring the complexities of national identity in a globalized media landscape, specifically focusing on how TWTSB depicts the Anglo-Irish relationship and the British national identity.
- Theoretical Background: National identity and its relation to film: This chapter delves into the concept of national identity, exploring its dynamic nature and its relation to media. It discusses how national identity is influenced by media representations, particularly in times of crisis or war. The chapter further examines the role of heritage films in shaping national identity and the importance of understanding the internal and external perspectives that influence its construction.
- Case Study: The Wind That Shakes the Barley: This chapter analyzes the film TWTSB, exploring both its textual and contextual aspects. It examines the film's representation of the Irish War of Independence and its portrayal of the Anglo-Irish relationship. The chapter also investigates the film's use of heritage film conventions and its connection to social realism.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key keywords and focus topics include: national identity, film, heritage film, Anglo-Irish relationship, Irish War of Independence, British representation, social realism, class conflict, working class, globalized media.
- Quote paper
- Jana Schäfer (Author), 2015, National Identity and the Anglo-Irish Representation in Ken Loach's "The Wind that Shakes the Barley", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/316575
