Ulster versus Éire: Border Narratives in Cinema Newsreels

• DOI: 10.32803/rise.v6i2.3217
• Publication Date: 2023-12-08T15:53:02Z
• Authors: Ciara Chambers
• Keywords: Depiction; Northern Ireland

Ulster versus Éire (1938) was an American March of Time newsreel exploring the complexities Irish politics on both sides border. It came hot heels earlier film made by same company, misleadingly titled Republic (1937). The first had sparked attempt Northern Ireland government to present a propagandised about north in response what seen be favourable depiction south. Remarkably, two films utilised much footage starkly contrasting narratives ‘two Irelands’. This article explores how representations border cinema newsreels failed fully reflect partition, but very clearly established partitionist mentality depicting separate peoples, and south growth this is traced through stories covering Home Rule movement partition 1910s 1920s, growing divide between during economically turbulent 1930s pressure placed reconsider its neutral status Second World War. Against backdrop, function as reflective cultural barometer shifting perspectives throughout early twentieth century active Althusserian ‘Ideological State Apparatus’ embodying circulating British political attitudes 'unofficial' capacity.