CU/FS 260 - Reel Ireland: Exploring Contemporary Irish Film

After years in the shadow of Hollywood versions of Ireland, a vibrant indigenous Irish film industry is now well established. In this course, we will explore the role of Irish film in representing and shaping Irish culture and identity. Through a curated selection of films, we will analyze how Irish film is reflecting on a society that has undergone profound change in recent decades, as well as providing contemporary perspectives on Ireland’s sometimes traumatic past. In particular, we will explore how filmmakers are using universally recognizable film genres to tell local Irish stories. Throughout the course, we will also critically analyze how, in an increasingly diverse society, representations of diversity and gender have evolved in Irish film.