Kevin Brannigan, who did our wonderful cover story Draoícht na Life for issue 208, is the stiúrthóir of this look at Communism in Ireland. It’s a timely and insightful look into the grassroots and global movement and comes hot off the heels of Adam Curtis’s epic Russia 1985-1999: TraumaZone. The Communist Party of Ireland set up stall in 1921 with James Connolly inspiring the likes of Lenin.
This is a fascinating trawl through history with a number of protagonists contributing as they set about tackling property rights and the plight of the working class. Plus ça change… “Everyone smoked in closed rooms with no open windows,” recollects Sinéad Morrissey whose parents met through the Party. Of course there were internecine feuds and the issue of the North to grapple with as armed struggle entered the fray of discourse.
The archival footage is wonderful. We get to see David Vipond marching in the Monaghan by-election of ’73 with the slogan, “Down with the three main bourgeoise parties – Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour.” 2025 is coming into view.
Assemble Comrades!
Sugar Club, Sunday, April 23 (screening followed by panel discussion)
