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Lessandra Celesia’s movie is a combination of a spiritual gathering and a current event story. It is a documentary that focuses on the deteriorating New Lodge neighborhood in Belfast. The film primarily follows the families who are still dealing with the aftermath of the Troubles, even after 25 years. It explores the lingering effects of political violence, as well as the prevalence of sexism, domestic violence, substance abuse, and anger towards drug dealers in working-class communities. However, there is also another aspect to the film. In addition to news coverage of the Queen’s passing, there is a shocking revelation that the Catholic population in Northern Ireland has surpassed the Protestant population for the first time. This thought is almost too taboo to mention out loud. Is it possible that the times are changing and reunification, the very concept that caused so much conflict, could actually happen peacefully?
In the film’s center, Celesia depicts the daily routines of Joe McNally, an older member of the republican community who has previously served time in jail for non-political transgressions. McNally lives like a ghost, haunted by his past and fueled by a deep desire for revenge after witnessing his uncle’s murder at the hands of loyalists during his childhood. Drawing inspiration from Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The Act of Killing,” Celesia has Joe recreate his uncle’s wake in his back room with the assistance of younger family members. However, this psychodrama only seems to exacerbate Joe’s inner turmoil rather than provide any closure.
During his therapy session, Joe discusses his recollections of the Bobby Sands funeral and is surprised to learn that his therapist was present at the wake when she was a child. Later on, a coffin that was used for his uncle’s wake is repurposed for a similar event featuring Sands. Joe then climbs into the coffin, attempting to imagine the sensation of death. He becomes infuriated and contemplates going on a hunger strike in order to bring attention to the issue of drug dealers in his apartment complex. He also expresses anger towards the Provisional IRA, as he believes they were indifferent to the potential consequences of their actions, causing his neighborhood to resemble Dublin. This analogy demonstrates Joe’s practical viewpoint on a united Ireland, to say the least.
In the meantime, a woman of a younger age who possesses a talent in singing is currently facing her own recollections of mistreatment. Celesia persuades her to reenact her victimization by using makeup to create bruises on her face. “It’s very calming,” she remarks, “much preferable than an actual physical blow.” Additionally, her neighbor also reimagines the moment when she injured her abusive partner in the hip using an IRA handgun. This film is moving, pressing, and profoundly sorrowful.
The movie “The Flats” was shown at the Copenhagen documentary film festival.
Source: theguardian.com
