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On Wednesday I attended the premiere of RTE’s latest film production The Flag starring Pat Shortt and rising Irish-star Brian Gleeson. After a few drinks, we were directed up to Cineworld’s IMAX theatre to watch a hilarious film celebrating everything Irish from ex-pat émigrés, rural community-politics and finally, 2016’s year of commemoration for the 1916 volunteers. The Flag centres on this historical narrative but contextualises it within contemporary times. Harry Hambridge is the lead character, an Irish construction worker living in London who suddenly falls on hard times; he’s fired from his job, kicked out of his flat, and to round it all off, both his hamster and his father die. At his father’s funeral, Harry uncovers a letter from the British army addressed to his grandfather recording his incarceration by the British for raising the flag over the GPO, which, in this world, now sits upside down at a military base in Hampshire. Inspired by his Aunt Angela and friend Mouse, Harry and his London-Irish friends conspire to steal back the flag in time for the 2016 Easter commemoration service.
This slapstick comedy accelerates its pace as the group manage to steal the flag from the military base whilst disguised as British soldiers with terrible old-colonial accents and stereotypical British phrases that notably include “oh jolly-hockey sticks mate”. Under his own mounting frustration Harry gives up; “ah fuck it – we’re taking the flag back to the people of Ireland!” Next an Italian Job/Into the West style car chase ensues in which Harry and Mouse ride a Tir-Na-Nog horse to catch up with the group fleeing back to Ireland with the flag in a speeding lorry.
In a short introduction before the premiere, Director Declan Recks outlined how his grandfather was one of two men incarcerated in Kilmainham for raising the GPO flag, which was raised upside down by the British as further punishment. “As we approached 2016 I began to think of a serious documentary but quickly realised no one would want to see that. I never met my grandfather but I hope he has a sense of humour. But in case he doesn’t I would like to give those GPO men a round of applause”. The Flag’s examination of Irish history through satire reflects how even against adversity, the Irish condition is endearingly cheeky. As Recks put it, “we Irish are essentially underdogs and this film is about underdogs”.
The Flag’s hilarious parody of Irish-British relations is undercut by several clumsy scene changes which are jarring and confusing. Moreover, the love-story between Harry and Liz – his unrequited London-Irish love – is an unnecessary ‘Hollywood’ inclusion to an otherwise fresh plot. However, at times I was doubled over in hysterics, covering my eyes to avoid embarrassing slap-stick scenes and shedding a few tears with the characters after they finally honoured those involved in the Rising. This film (and night) was a solid 4.5/5 and after its release on 14th October I highly recommend anyone in need of a good laugh to buy a ticket to see The Flag.
