Power in the eye

by Terry Byrne

The use of Irish settings in mainstream Hollywood cinema has been well documented; in Power in the Eye, Terry Byrne explores indigenous Irish film production that addresses itself primarily to a native Irish audience, and analyzes the social impact of the films on modern Irish society. In addition to internationally known Irish filmmakers Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan, and Pat O'Connor, Byrne focuses on the work of Joe Comerford, Cathal Black, John T. Davis, Thaddeus O'Sullivan, Gerry Stembridge, Kieran Hickey, Bob Quinn, and Pat Murphy, among others. He also addresses the social, economic, and political issues that affect the production of films for the Irish market, particularly the issues of funding and censorship. Power in the Eye illuminates the areas of contention in Irish culture that shape the art and industry of filmmaking in Ireland and offers readers a powerful introduction to a relatively new area in the study of contemporary cinema.