A memory film set in Belfast in 1981 during the IRA hunger strikes which led to the death and eventual martyrdom of Bobby Sands. Quiet and powerful, ‘81’ contains multiple points of view, alternating between Catholic and Protestant, women and men, youth and adults. What lingers and what haunts are the vivid stark images of the prisoners’ gaunt faces on the television sets; the determined set of Thatcher’s jaw; Bobby Sands’ eyes staring out from the posters glued haphazardly on the Belfast streets.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
B1002072
Language
English
Audience classification
Mediatheque - not for children (ACMI classified)
Subject categories
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Political prisoners - Ireland
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
Digital Betacam [PAL]; Master
MPEG-4 Digital File; ACMI Digital Access Copy - presentation
Digital Betacam [PAL]; Sub-master
VHS [PAL]; Reference - timecoded