Film Archive

'71

Horizons 2014 / '71 / United Kingdom 2014

United Kingdom, 1971. The conflict in Northern Ireland is shifting towards civil war. During one particular mission, Gary Hook finds himself facing a life-and-death struggle in his attempt to get back to his unit. His only trusty companions on this involuntary odyssey are uncertainty, fear and despair. The talented director allows his audience to experience the tangible feeling of paranoia and anxiety which, in the latter part of the film, are disassociated from the story in order to fuel a universal criticism of war and violence.

Synopsis

Great Britain, 1971. The conflict in Northern Ireland is shifting towards civil war. Private Gary Hook and others in his regiment hope to be stationed in Germany, however, the worsening security situation in Belfast requires that the unit be deployed there instead. The conditions are arduous and chaotic, the city is divided between Protestant Loyalists and hostile Catholic Nationalists, and the place is crawling with soldiers, secret servicemen and double agents. During one mission Gary is accidentally abandoned in the middle of an incensed mob and suddenly finds himself fighting for his life in an attempt to get back to his unit. His only trusty companions on this involuntary odyssey are uncertainty, confusion, fear and despair. The talented director allows his audience to appreciate the tangible feeling of paranoia and anxiety which, in the latter part of the film, are disassociated from the specifics of the given story in order to fuel a universal criticism of war and violence. The intensity of the viewing experience is mediated to a great extent by the film’s tight lensing and visual aspects in general, as it is by the authentic performance from Jack O’Connell in the role of Gary.

About the film

100 min / Color, DCP

Director Yann Demange / Screenplay Gregory Burke / Dir. of Photography Anthony "Tat” Radcliffe / Music David Holmes / Editor Chris Wyatt / Producer Angus Lamont, Robin Gutch / Production Crab Apple Films, Warp Films / Coproduction FIlm4, BFI, Screen Yorkshire, Creative Scotland / Cast Jack O’Connell, Sean Harris, Richard Dormer, Paul Anderson / Contact Protagonist Pictures, CinemArt, a.s. / Distributor CinemArt, a.s.

About the director

Yann Demange (b. 1977, Paris) grew up in London and began his career filming live concerts and assisting on commercials and promotional music videos. His first short film Joe (2001) was accepted by the British Council as part of its festival programme. Other shorts followed, such as Incomplete, Alan and Samir and Headspace. Demange attended the National Film and Television School and in 2006 directed the comedy drama Man in a Box for Channel 4. This was followed by the five-part series "Dead Set” (BAFTA nomination for Best Drama Serial), the five-part series for the BBC "Criminal Justice” (BAFTA nomination for Best Director) and the series "Top Boy,” again for Channel 4 (BAFTA nominations for Best Serial and Best Director). ’71 is the director’s feature debut, screened in the main competition at this year’s Berlinale.