Every Breaking Wave - A Film By Aoife McArdle

February 20, 2015 3:59 PM

Every Breaking Wave [13m17s] is a short film set in 1980s Belfast during The Troubles. Directed by Aoife McArdle [Vimeo], using music by U2, as part of Vice's The Creators Project.
posted by hippybear (9 comments total)

Pronunciation tip for non-Irish folk, her first name is 'eefa'.
posted by GallonOfAlan at 4:32 PM on February 20, 2015 [2 favorites]

I'm not sure how to react to this, so I'll just recommend the Paul Greengrass film Bloody Sunday, which is a dramatic interpretation of the events of the day which inspired that other U2 song. There's also the film Five Minutes of Heaven, which deals with The Troubles in an entirely different way. (Both star James Nesbitt, incidentally. The latter is less successful artistically, I would say, but still absorbing.) If you want even deeper background (and as an American, it helps), there's The Wind that Shakes the Barley, which covers both the Irish War of Independence and the lesser-discussed Irish Civil War that followed, which determined the nature of the new Ireland for decades to come.
posted by dhartung at 5:05 PM on February 20, 2015 [2 favorites]

Over an hour and no swipe at Bono yet. Bizarro Metafilter.
posted by davebush at 5:16 PM on February 20, 2015

dhartung: The last link in the FPP gives background on the director and her choices with this project. That might help you decide how to react to it.
posted by hippybear at 5:18 PM on February 20, 2015

What a great film, but I'm not on board with the choice of songs. It starts great with Stiff Little Fingers, but then there is endless U2, and not great U2 either.

The second link says that the director is working on a feature length film, and based on this short it will very much be worth watching.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:59 PM on February 20, 2015

Thanks, Hippy. Your contributions always fill me with glee.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 12:12 AM on February 21, 2015

there is endless U2, and not great U2 either

I agree it's not a great U2 song, but from the link in the FPP the film is actually a "visual essay" about the song itself.

I have some issues with the film, but then I would do as I live here. One might be "why subtitles?" but maybe others think they're necessary? But I will say she has a great eye and there are some really lovely shots in it. I'd definitely watch a feature-length film by her. Always nice to see homegrown talent do well.
posted by billiebee at 7:22 AM on February 21, 2015

To each his own, but Every Breaking Wave and The Troubles are standouts on Songs of Innocence and I like every song on that album.

Every Breaking Wave's lyrical imagery and metaphor are incredible, and The Troubles gives me chills on a regular basis.

On a related note, check out Lykke Li (the female voice on The Troubles). Great stuff. I especially like her latest album I Never Learn.

Obligatory Lykke Li video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIruwzhozTc
posted by The Deej at 9:20 AM on February 21, 2015 [1 favorite]

The vid starts with the band that should have done the whole soundtrack.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 2:42 AM on February 22, 2015