The islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the beautiful scenery, the beautiful singing voice of Celtic music; Wilde, Yeats, Shaw; even U2, The Cranberries, Westlife.
Xanadu is perhaps my most intimate knowledge of Ireland all the time.
But the truth is far more than our imagination in a peaceful and prosperous age.
Ireland is the most traditional Catholic country in Europe. Divorce was not legalized until 1995, and abortion is still illegal until now.
The Irish independence movement began in the early 20th century, but until now there are still six northern counties exercised by the British, and the end of the war in Northern Ireland is less than 10 years.
The Irish Republican Army, which used to be the main force during the War of Independence to achieve the unification of Ireland, is now positioned as terrorism.
"The Wind Blows the Rice Waves" tells the "destroyed history" from the Irish War of Independence to the Civil War. Witnessing the atrocities committed by the British army in Ireland, Damien, who wanted to go to London to be a doctor, joined the Irish Republican Army. Due to their betrayal, their team was arrested and imprisoned. After torture, they were fortunately released by the Irish guards. Damien shot down the informer, Chris, who was only 17 years old. After the Anglo-Irish Treaty signed a brief peace, Damien and Teddy stood in the two camps of the civil war because of their different positions. Eventually, Damien was arrested during a firearms mission, and Teddy ordered the execution.
This is the story line of the entire movie. Although time spans two wars, the director only focuses his attention on a pair of ordinary brothers in the grand history. During the War of Independence, the brothers fought for the same goal. Even in the British prison, Damien wanted to replace his brother to be sentenced, and Teddy's unyielding also strongly infected the younger brother who had just joined. However, during the Civil War, it was still the same prison, Damien was a prisoner, he was just as unyielding, and Teddy was the executioner of his brother's death sentence.
The lens is calm and restrained, often keeping a sense of distance, and the film therefore presents a documentary texture. I really like the time when the Republican guerrillas ambushed British vehicles. The guerrillas took their weapons through the green grass or wheat fields to find a suitable cover; in the melodious music, the wind moved the grass, and the hillside seemed to be glowing. wave. After Chen's gunshots and explosions, the victorious guerrillas walked down to pack their guns, crying not only for their companions.
The two shooting games were very tense. Damien wants to kill his own partner, who is only a 17-year-old whistleblower. Still in the wild land like a green ocean, Chris said, I'm sorry, I feel scared. There was silence after the gunshot. Perhaps it was fate. The next person to be tied to a pillar waiting to be executed was Damien. The camera was close to his face. He breathed hurriedly while waiting for the gunshots, and then Teddy cried bitterly.
This is war, absurd, no right or wrong war. Ordinary people will always be hurt, just like the old grandmother and their daughter and granddaughter in the dilapidated house in the movie, whether they are British or Irish soldiers, they are always pointed at the head with a gun, stand with their hands up, and then accept Crude interrogation and search. Although, these Irish soldiers have received their food and shelter. Damien wrote in his suicide note: "I tried not to get into this war, and did, and now try to get out and can't" Wars may be like this.
And this damn war is, after all, part of the colonial history of the once glorious empire that never sets. In the bloody colonial history of the British Empire, there are too many such stories. They happened in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh... The
film was produced by a British director, and it will naturally be controversial in the UK. Since it is a movie, it is inevitable to have a subjective perspective. However, after watching the movie, I can at least better understand why U2 is the backbone of the anti-war in the music industry, and why The Cranberries sing Zombie hoarse.
Windblown Daolang is an Irish folk song. From the English name, Mailang may be more appropriate. The movie also presents a green color like wheat waves. Green is both peace and Ireland.
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