Ireland(s): A 2-Part Story about War and Peace | FULL DOCUMENTARY | EPISODE 2

In 2016 the Irish will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, the insurrection that gave birth to the Republic of Ireland and has come to symbolize the fight against British occupation.

These days the guns are silent and the war in Northern Ireland is a thing of the past. The peace process has been stumbling forward since 1998, and while it has been challenging and patience-trying, it has also helped people open up and widen their perspective.

Ireland(s): The Rise of a Nation is a two-part documentary that takes an up-close look at one of the most significant conflicts of the late 20th century. It tells the story of this tormented island through moving interviews with people who lived through the conflict: both republicans and loyalists, men and women, politicians and freedom fighters, and simple bystanders. They give us their views on Ireland’s troubled past and discuss their own role in the violence, either as perpetuators or victims. They also share their fears for their island home, along with their hopes for a peaceful future.

The current leaders of the Republican movement contend that they are moving forward with the flow of history. They see armed resistance as a thing of the past, saying that the ballot box is the only way to reunite Ireland. But others see the peace strategy as a betrayal of the Republican ideal of reuniting the island and forging an independent country. They are keeping the possibility of reviving the armed struggle alive, pointing at delays in the peace process, Britain’s broken promises and skyrocketing unemployment. For Unionists, the road has been even rockier. The peace process and the growing electoral popularity of Sinn Fein’s Republicans have dashed their hope of regaining their former dominance. The Irish flag now flies over Belfast City Hall and the government of the Irish Republic has a right of say in the affairs of Northern Ireland. The second film unfolds in this climate of confrontation and tension. As our main characters share their stories, viewers come to realize that it is far easier to wage war than to build peace.

Documentary: Ireland(s) - The Rise of a Nation – Part 2: The Challenges of Peace (2015)
Direction: Emmanuel Hamon & Alain Frilet
Production: What’s Up Films

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