Films That Sum Up Ireland

Fags are Evil

When people spied this thread their minds most likely jolted to the usual suspects -- invoking impromptu YouTube visits in search of a pertinent clip from The Wind That Shakes the Barley, or The Field.

My analogical suggestion for an appropriate parallel differs considerably, however. You see, sometimes you have to deviate from the norm to understand the dynamics of a situation you find yourself in.

Two films in particular display the ingredients that precipitated the demise of the Irish Republic since its inception in 1922.

The Day After -- a 1983 post -apocalyptic drama depicting the fall-out of nuclear war, and Raining Stones -- a 1993 Ken Loach comedy steeped in the tragedy of the Thatcherian poverty of the 1980s.

These engaging offerings encapsulate the key failures ingrained in the Irish mentality.

We see the blissful ignorance paraded by characters in the former -- despite impending doom unfolding behind the backdrop of their shallow existences.

The crushing poverty omnipresent in the latter arises from the woeful stupidity and nonsensical conformity to Catholic values, cementing the hapless individuals to hardship and oppression through debt.

Despite her severe economic condition, Ireland's citizens will only spend 10% less this Christmas, and still more than any other European nation (bar the pseudo tax haven Luxembourg).

Maybe after the economic missile finally hits, pride can be sacrificed for common sense. I won't bet on it just yet -- unless the Catholic Church's Irish headquarters suffer a direct hit.

Dudess

I think Ireland would be more Threads than The Day After.

AlmightyCushion

Closing this because I think any of the other 800 billion recession threads are covering the topic of the economy being fúcked very well.