That They May Face the Rising Sun (A Film based on a story by John McGahern) by Joe McVeigh

C

Few writers have conveyed the ups and downs of the closely-knit rural life in Ireland before the digital age as accurately as John McGahern from County Leitrim. John who died in 2006, is a keen observer of the eccentricities and foibles of country people -small farmers and their wives and the local characters who never married and who don’t do much work.

Nothing much happens in this community except the occasional wedding and the odd funeral. The usual haymaking goes on during the summer and autumn and there is a long winter and Spring.. It’s a place where time goes slow and life revolves around Sunday Mass and the market day in the local town. There are few cars-except for those moderately well off who could afford them. Most people travel on bicycles.

I have been a long -time admirer of McGahern’s writing- his short stories and his novels especially his novel ‘Amongst Women’. So when I heard a film had been made of one his last books TTMFTRS, I could not wait to see it. It was getting good reviews so I wanted to see how the story translated on to the big screen. I was not disappointed.

All the reviews I read made it clear that this was a story without a plot. In a way that is true but in another way the story is based on life (and death) in a rural community in Ireland –and that is a good enough plot for me. In some ways it reminded me of my own young days growing up in Co Fermanagh. McGahern’s story is transferred expertly to the big screen. It held my attention from beginning to end-around two hours. It follows the life of this rural community during one year. The cinematography by Richard Kendrick is professional. It opens with a stunning shot of the lake and the landscape. I understand that it was filmed in Connemara in a most picturesque setting resembling McGahern’s place in Leitrim.

The actors were brilliant. Dubliner Barry Ward played the writer Joe Rutledge recently returned from London and whose character was loosely based on McGahern himself. His young wife Kate Rutledge was played by German-born Anna Bederke who made herself at home in this rural community -but sometimes felt homesick for the city. She was exceptionally suited to the role.

The locals dropped in often to visit the young couple to get the latest news and some refreshments. The nosey neighbour, Jamesie Murphy, was a frequent visitor.

The film opens with an unforgettable exchange between Jamesie and Joe Rutledge the writer. “You were not at Mass last Sunday, Joe” says Jamesie. “You were missed. Why did you not go?”

“Because I don’t believe” replied Joe.

“Ach, sure none of us believes –but sure we go anyway!” says Jamesie. There is a lot to think about in those few lines.

Patrick Ryan (Lalor Roddy), another neighbour, was also a frequent caller. He was supposed to be building a shed for the writer Joe Rutledge. He was a talented carpenter. Patrick was usually abrasive and fond of a drop. The shed was half finished and Patrick said he would be back some day to finish it.

The locals all came by for the tay and local gossip. Joe’s young wife was always pleasant and welcoming and made sure they all got the best of food and some strong beverage to wash it down.

Then, one day out of the blue, Johnny Murphy (Sean McGinley)-a brother of Jamesie -who was working in London dropped in to say hello when home on holiday. He arrived at Joe’s house on a bicycle. He was well dressed but seemed a bit unsettled and was drinking a lot and smoking one cigarette after another. Joe’s wife made a lovely meal for them –but Johnny did not seem relaxed.

Two big events in the life of the community that year are well depicted. Firstly, there was the wedding of a local man and woman both well on in years. He was the local garage owner and she (Ruth McCabe) a former hotel worker.

The other major event in the community that year was the sudden death of Johnny (Sean McGinley) who had returned from London to live at home. He died after a night of heavy drinking in a bar in the local village. He was waked in his brother’s home and when Patrick Ryan did not arrive in time to lay him out, Joe the writer took on to do the job even though he had never done it before. He made sure that the Rosary beads were entwined in his fingers in the correct way according to local custom. The Wake scene in the brother’s house showed the locals reciting the Rosary with great devotion. There were no clergy to be seen.

It was while a few local men were digging his grave that the title for the story soon emerged. The grave digger wanted to make sure he was buried facing the rising sun as was the custom in that part of Leitrim – to show their faith in the Resurrection. McGahern was reflecting the deep faith in Eternal Life in that community which probably goes back to pre-Christian times.

TTMSTRS is an interesting film about a way of life now long gone. There was a strong sense of community. Of course, the downside was that everyone knew everybody’s business and some went out of their way to find out. The film is beautifully directed by Pat Collins. He and the cast deserve much praise. So too does John McGahern for writing such an honest account of life in rural Ireland as it was in his younger days. Go see for yourself. You will not regret it.