Our Films
Rebel County
Harvest Films 2006 52 mins
Rebel County uses the shooting of the Ken Loach film The Wind that Shakes the Barley as a springboard from which to explore the real life events of The War of Independence in the South West of the country.
Rebel County features observational behind-the-scenes material of Ken Loach interacting with cast and crew, key ambush scenes, Black & Tan raids, behind the scenes historical discussions between Loach and cast members and includes clips of the completed film. The documentary strikes a creative and natural balance between the exploration of the film-making process and the real stories from that period.
It uses some of the film’s key locations (Bandon, Buttevant and Clonakilty in West Cork) as a way of exploring what it was like for the ordinary inhabitants of Cork living through the traumatic events of the time. It explores the origins of the War of Independence, tracing the influence of 1798 and family and parish connections on the revolutionary period. It also explores the nature of society before independence and the influence of garrison towns, the impact of World War I and the competing allegiances in towns and villages like Bandon and Buttevant.
Dir: Pat Collins
Prod: Pat Collins
Ed: Isobel Stephenson
Sound: John Brennan
DoP: Colm Hogan
Critical Comments:
“… Directed with understated stylishness… a thoughtful exploration of the savage internecine fighting which ravaged the southwest…” Liam Fay – The Sunday Times
“… A fascinating exposition of West Cork lore… an accomplished work…” Padraic Killeen, The Examiner