Myth Of An Irish Cinema: Approaching Irish-Themed Films (irish Studies) [Hardcover]

For the past seventy years the discipline of film studies has widely invoked the term national cinema. Such a concept suggests a unified identity with distinct cultural narratives. As the current debate over the meaning of nation and nationalism has made thoughtful readers question the term, its application to the field of film studies is the subject of recent interrogation. In Myth of an Irish Cinema, Michael Gillespie presents a groundbreaking challenge to the traditional view of filmmaking, contesting the existence of an Irish national cinema. Given the social, economic, and cultural complexity of contemporary Irish identity, Gillespie argues that filmmakers can no longer present Irishness as a monolithic entity. The book is arranged thematically, with chapters exploring the representation of the middle class, urban life, rural life, religion, and politics. Offering close readings of Irish themed films, Gillespie identifies a variety of interpretative approaches that are based on the diverse elements that define national character. Covering a wide range of films, from John Ford's The Quiet Man and Waking Ned Devine to Bob Quinn's controversial Budawanny/The Bishop's Story , The Myth of an Irish Cinema signals a paradigm shift in the field of film studies and promises to reinvigorate the dialogue on the subject of national cinema.

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