That They May Face the Rising Sun

A moving picture!

I pretty much went into the cinema with 'That They May Face the Rising Sun' totally blind in terms of what to expect, just the way I like it mind you. All I knew was that it was outta Ireland and based on a book, which I evidently hadn't heard of. I'm pleased to say what greeted my eyes was a very splended movie.

The story is simple, one that holds no bells and whistles. I don't mean that in a negative way whatsoever, as it is the film's greatest element. It's all very grounded, which allows the acting talent to shine. Though, the cinematography is exquisite. It is also paced to perfection, in that regard I was kinda caught off guard when the credits appeared!

Barry Ward and Anna Bederke are the cover stars and ar...

There's something very potent about the Celtic habit of understating things. A few choice words, a bit of sarcasm or invocation of nature or, occasionally, religion coupled with some perfectly judged facial expressions or shrugs! It can be used to really good comic effect and to illustrate entertainingly just how folks live their lives and deal with death. "Joe" (Barry Ward) and wife "Kate" (Anna Bederke) live in their rural home where he is trying to put together his latest book and she juggles her time between running a gallery in London and living the dream amidst a remarkably dry Ireland. The film essentially plonks us in their home for a few days as we watch a variety of local souls pop in for tea, whiskey and chat. What's quite striki...

Pat Collins first narrative film largely, refreshingly, lacks a conventional narrative. Adapted from John McGaherns final novel, it reveals the directors considerable skill with both sight and sound, a fine cast, and a surprisingly explicit wink to Ozu.

Collins lovingly frames a hallowed rural Irish community of a half-century ago, whose religion and traditions provide order, and hope, but are nevertheless already significantly hollowed out. Indeed, for all of the films prose-tinted passion, it has an unmistakably funereal feel. Its people, and those like them, are buried in their stony grey soil, the bones on which todays Ireland are built.

[For more on McGahern, see his entry in The Dictionary of Irish Biography at https://www.dib.ie/biography/mcgahern-john-a9414.]