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Thursday January 01 1970

Ken Loach's "Land and Freedom"

cork | arts and media | event notice

Tuesday November 14, 2006 20:40

by Joe Moore - Socialist Workers Party

mapuche at eircom dot net

087-2994796

ISKRA in association with New Left Journal presents Ken Loach's "Land and Freedom" at the Kino, Washington Street, Cork, at 12.00 noon on Sunday 26th November.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, when the fascist General Franco began his assault on the democratically elected government. The Popular Front government had begun to initiate reforms which had led to the improvement of the lives of both workers and peasants. These reforms were opposed by the capitalist and landowning classes, who sought the support of right wing elements within the officer corps of the army.

With the active support of both Hitler and Mussolini, Franco launched his coup. The supporters of the government formed armed militias to repel the fascists. A call to support the Spanish government was answered by socialists and anti-fascists from around the world.
Ken Loach's film "Land and Freedom" tells the story of one such English volunteer who on arriving in Spain fought with the Poum. Loach examines the different position taken by those who fought with the POUM and the Anarchists and those who joined the International Brigades. The debates between the two positions are handled similarly to the way he dealt with political arguments in "The Wind that Shakes the Barley"

Like in his recent film, Loach also uses both professional and non-professional actors, one of whom at least was a vetean of the war against Franco. "Land and Freedom" is regarded by many critics as Loach's best film and has not been seen on the big screen in this country in over 10 years.

The film can be seen on Sunday 26th November in the Kino, Washington St at 12.00 noon. Normal admission prices apply.

The film will be introduced by Harry Owens, co-writer of Bob Doyle's autobiography "Brigadista". Bob is the only remaining survivor of the Connolly Column, 15th International Brigade. No Paseran.

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Comments (4 of 4)

Your sense of humour must be very generous indeed

by Pink Flag

Wed Nov 22, 2006 13:58

No, I’m afraid there was no humour in evidence in that review – it was a sour, bitter sectarian rant. The author was determined to pour scorn on the POUM at all costs. Probably finds Spain a bit of a challenge to his “Marxists are all the same” attitude, and doesn’t like acknowledging the fact that the POUM leader Nin was tortured to death by Stalinist agents. It’s perfectly true that the POUM were a lot smaller than the CNT, but they were singled out for persecution by the Stalinists way before the anarchists. And if we’re going to talk about size, by that logic it’s outrageous for anarchists to write about Makhno when discussing the Russian revolution. Ridiculous nonsense that gives anarchism a bad name. There's plenty of intelligent writing on Spain by anarchists, you must have been smoking something funny if you thought it was a good idea posting a link to that dreadful article

Sense of humour surely?

by black flag

Wed Nov 22, 2006 01:13

The review in question is a rather short satirical and comical one. Nowhere is there the "idea" that it's a trot conspiracy, just points out that it will no doubt be used as a recruiting tool after the fact. The review also points out the certain almost revisionist tendencies of the film, and the need to take from anarchist history to add an air of "cool". Though in it's favour, the film does touch on a critique of the anti-fascist unity/popular front versus social revolution debate.

fir fecks sake

by bysshe in exile

Wed Nov 22, 2006 00:12

While not everything Loach has done is by definition, because he has done it, wonderful, the review linked to is on the bizarre end of ridiculous. Often when the left debates Spain in 36 there is more heat than light. But the idea that "Land and freedom" is a conspricacy to let the "trots" have public meetings is a just plain daft.

The question about the spainish revolution is surely that it didn't win. A critique if Stalinism is perhaps the road to insight on the road to an answer, but an argument that says the poum were shite cos i hate the swp isn't much use to man nor beast.

The film doesn't show the torture and murder of Nin (the non trot leader of the Poum), it doesn't show the disputes among the anarchists around the Friends of Durretti etc etc etc.

But it's a good film about revolution -- to steal from Orwell ( who was in the Poum -- but no enemy of anarchists in Spain or Britain) it was about shooting fascists.

It is possible to enage about Spain from beyond the sharpened ballpiont pen.

See the movie and talk the issues.

And finally to be provactive
SWP view:
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php?article_id...=9249
note includes interviews with veterans (including for those that like the train spotting element that ageing stalinist Jack Jones)
the best article in my view is the one by Michale Eaude on Barcelona. -- but hey what do i know I'm a trot.

Land and Freedom (review)

Fri Nov 17, 2006 23:45

This review of the Ken Loach film Land & Freedom first appeared in Black Flag #207

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Ken Loach's "Land and Freedom"

Comments (4 of 4)