Absence and presence: investigating the cinematic representation of Northern Irish unionists (1981-2020)

Prior to this contemporary period, only a handful of mainstream cinema releases featured identifiable unionist characters and their culture. The thesis examines this curious ‘cinematic deficit’ in fiction films that deal with the conflict in – or about – Northern Ireland, and assesses why unionists and unionism have traditionally been depicted in a much more negative light than Irish nationalism, and nationalists.

The research adopts a methodology consisting of close analysis of how film language and narrative forms have been typically deployed within this context, combined with a detailed consideration of relevant socio-historical and film production and distribution issues.<br><i><br>Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2027.</i>