TITANIC TOWN
UK/Ireland, 1998, 100 minutes, Colour.
Julie Walters, Ciaran Heinz, Nuala O’ Neill, Ciaran Mc Menamin.
Directed by Roger Michell.
Titanic Town is a story of Northern Ireland, specifically estates in Belfast. Made in 1998, it takes its audience back twenty-five years to the difficult days of the Troubles of the early 1970s.
The film is based on fact, focuses on the women who campaigned for peace. Julie Walters gives a vigorous performance as Bernie Mc Phelimy, a mother of four children who decides that enough is enough, especially with shootings as the children came home from school and the sudden death of her best friend. She enlists the help of some of the locals but many of them refuse, a number of them quite bigoted in their hostility. She doesn’t want to be a media celebrity but, somehow or other, is propelled into this position and even to going to visit the England authorities. She is also able to make contact with the heads of the IRA.
Bernie Mc Phelimy becomes a very popular figure but there are repercussions for her own family. Ciaran Heinz is sympathetic as her husband but finds what she is doing too difficult. He is also hospitalised with an ulcer. Annie (Nuala O’ Neill) the oldest child becomes infatuated with a young man, a medical student (Kieren Mc Menamin) who emerges as a member of the IRA. The other children find it difficult at school, persecuted by their fellow students.
The film takes us into the ordinary and mundane life of people living in Belfast whose ordinary lives are shattered by sudden violence, raids by the British, humiliating treatment by the British.
The film was made just after a Good Friday agreement was made – but, in the ensuing years, there have been considerable ups and downs in the relationship between Unionists and the IRA.
The film was directed by Roger Michell who had directed The Buddha of Suburbia for television and Persuasion (also with Ciaran Heinz). His next film was the very popular Notting Hill. He went on to make other films as Changing Lanes, Enduring Love, Venus.
1. The impact of this film about Northern Ireland? Informative? Emotional? A 90s perspective on the 1970s? Now?
2. Authentic settings, filming in Belfast, the estates, the homes, the schools, the halls? The streets of the city of Belfast? Stormont and the buildings? The credibility of the action given such authentic locations? The musical score, the Irish songs?
3. The focus on the Mc Phelimy family, the film opening with their arrival, closing with their departure? All that had happened to them in between? The arrival, the British, the shootings, Bernie and her strong-mindedness, going outside to defy people? Aiden and his ulcer, unwell? The four children and their trying to settle into the estate?
4. The details of family life, the friends and neighbours coming in, the welcome, songs, ‘Danny Boy’? Aiden and his collapse, his going to hospital? His return home and his further collapse? The effect of his ulcer? Its affecting his attitude towards Bernie?
5. Julie Walters as Bernie, strong character, her devotion to her children and fighting for them? Her going outside, defying the British, defying her neighbours? The angry IRA neighbours? The more friendly people? Her best friend being shot down and killed, in front of her son? Her grief but relief that her son was alive? The ordinary detail of her life, the overflow into her feelings, the discussions and her going to the meeting? The meeting, the Unionist women, the intrusion of the rabid IRA women, pelting the Unionists? Bernie, her being invited to speak? On the television, her seeming to condemn the IRA? The repercussions, the broken windows, the torment of the children? Her reaction, going on television, making things worse? The interview and her explanation of her stance?
6. The IRA, friends and neighbours? Her wanting to talk to the IRA? Going with her friend? The meeting, the proposals? The taking of the women around different places – and returning, Bernie noticing the curtains? The decision to go to Stormont, visit, the authorities, their discussions, the conditions of the IRA, their being politely listened to? The decision about the petition? The doors being slammed on them? The riot at the house, the attack, the vicious woman? The boy being hit, going to hospital? The IRA authorities breaking up the riot? Supporting Bernie and the family?
7. Annie, at school, the encounter with Owen, falling in love with him, his charm, medical student? Showing her the museum, the pictures, inviting her to his flat? Her going and his not turning up? The revelation that he was part of the IRA, the arrival in the house, her letting him escape, his staying behind, his declaration to her? His helping with her father and his going to hospital? Bernie having seen them attack Danny, not knowing who Owen was, praising him?
8. The IRA, the violence in the streets, the shooting, the killings, getting ambulances? The repercussions with the British arrival, the reactions of the British soldiers, their abusiveness, humiliations, searching the house? The defiance of the people – but their having to be humiliated by the arms, the threats?
9. The British authorities, polite and listening, manoeuvring? The photo opportunity, the presentation of the petitions to the official?
10. Bernie, her dilemmas, not feeling supported by Aiden? The clashes with Annie, Annie expressing her hatred for her mother? The later reconciliation, Annie’s support? The other children? Innocent – and Sinead bringing the rifle to the door and the reaction, just simply giving it back to the British soldier who had left it?
11. The decision of the family to move, the effect of their experience, Bernie stepping down, leaving others for the fight campaign?
12. Memories of the Northern Irish women and their standing up to both sides, working for peace, working for some kind of reconciliation? The contribution of this kind of film to the dialogue in Northern Ireland?
