Memories of a childhood shaped by the spectre of sectarianism come to the fore, as Maeve (Mary Jackson) returns as an adult to a Belfast still steeped in the politics of The Troubles.
Presenting a feminist alternative to the conventional narrative of the conflict, filmmakers Pat Murphy and John Davis broke new ground with their experimental approach, which challenges many of the formal qualities of mainstream cinema.
Previously unavailable on Blu-ray, Maeve is a powerful take on the issues of feminism and nationalism, a film rich in debate and disruption and an overlooked gem of 1980s independent film, ripe for rediscovery.
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Extras
Remastered in 2K by the BFI
Being a Woman is a Nationality– a Video Essay on Maeve (2021, 14 mins): filmmaker Chris O’Neill explores Maeve's themes of feminism, republicanism and nationality in this new video essay
Irish Cinema - Ourselves Alone? (1996, 51 mins): Why have the most enduring celluloid images of Ireland been made by foreign filmmakers? That's the core of this documentary by Donald Taylor Black - showing the struggle of Irish people to create an Irish cinema. Featuring interviews with major figures including Neil Jordan, Bob Quinn, Jim Sheridan, Pat Murphy and Roddy Doyle
Limited edition with a booklet featuring a new discussion on the film between Pat Murphy, John Davies and Robert Smith and a new essay by Emmie McFadden.
