Cinema Derive - LAND AND FREEDOM
LAND AND FREEDOM 1995
Directed by Ken Loach
109 minutes
In English, Spanish, Catalan, with English subtitles
British director Ken Loach created his own special kind of cinema right from the beginning of his career, based on his support of the underdog. From his first feature about a single unwed mother dealing with the prejudices of society, to his next film about a young boy living in a small town who is bullied, to his later support for the miners who are being attacked by the British police in the 80s, he was always on the side of those who questioned power.
Many consider this movie to be one of his key works, and it focuses on the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s - the fight against the fascist dictatorship that is overtaking the country. It follows the journey of David Carr, a guy from Liverpool who travels to Spain and throws himself into the conflict. The film shows that not only is there a war going on, but also a battle of ideas.. therefore amid the scenes of war, what the film is really about is an attempt to explore the so-called utopian ideas of collectivism and democracy. As a communist David Carr enters the war seeing it in black-and-white, but soon finds things are not so easy and clear-cut. The story and the issues involved seem to be largely shaped by writer George Orwell and what he had witnessed when he was in that war.
The film works equally as a drama of war as it does a brilliant discussion of ideas. It is, of course, also a poignant history lesson. But of course here philosophies are discussed not in safe academic classrooms, but in the midst of life and death, tragedy and violence. I would even venture to say that perhaps universities are the last place for philosophy... instead, ideas should be conjured up in the streets, connected to real-life situations, where ideas can breathe. It's a film that is absolutely riveting on so many different levels.
The movie forged from beaten steel - the clash of drama, emotions and ideas
Doors open at 19:30
Film starts at 20:00
