Ascendancy (1983)

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An interesting approach to the English-Irish tensions, this is the first feature film done by British documentary filmmaker Edward Bennett. The story revolves around a young woman from a wealthy family who protests the horrors she witnesses in her life by the increasing debility of her own body. When her brother is killed, she loses the use of her right arm. When the Catholics and Protestants demonstrate increasing violence and tension, she becomes mute. It is an interesting metaphor, but leaves the audience only visually involved in the storyline as the girl can no longer articulate what it is that is causing her to have these emotional schisms with her own body. Set just after WWI, it is still a powerful statement regarding the alienation found on common soil and the profound emotional effects it has on those who must live with it. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide

Complete Cast:

Director(s):

Edward Bennett

Writer(s):

Nigel Gearing, Edward Bennett

Producer(s):

Ian Elsey, Penny Clark

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• 1983 - Berlin International Film Festival - Golden Bear