
The Commitments
Youth, Music, and Authenticity in 1990s Ireland
Nessa Johnston(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 30. November 2021
Book
Hardback
124 pages
978-0-367-27312-5 (ISBN)
Description
This book examines The Commitments (Parker, 1991) for the first time as a film, rather than an adaptation of Roddy Doyle's bestselling novel, and as a significant cultural event in 1990s Ireland.
A major hit in Ireland and around the world, the film depicts the short-lived attempts of an ensemble of young working-class Dubliners to achieve success as a soul covers band, playing the hits of Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and others, on a mission to 'bring soul back to Dublin'. Drawing upon interviews with key figures involved in the film and its music, including Roddy Doyle, Angeline Ball, and Bronagh Gallagher, as well as archival research of director Alan Parker's papers, the book explores questions of authenticity associated with youth, music, class, and culture, and assesses the film's legacy for the Irish film industry, Irish music scenes, and Irish youth. It also examines the film's status as a truly transnational production.
This concise, yet interdisciplinary case study will be of interest to students and researchers in popular music, cultural studies, and sociology, as well as film and media studies.
A major hit in Ireland and around the world, the film depicts the short-lived attempts of an ensemble of young working-class Dubliners to achieve success as a soul covers band, playing the hits of Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and others, on a mission to 'bring soul back to Dublin'. Drawing upon interviews with key figures involved in the film and its music, including Roddy Doyle, Angeline Ball, and Bronagh Gallagher, as well as archival research of director Alan Parker's papers, the book explores questions of authenticity associated with youth, music, class, and culture, and assesses the film's legacy for the Irish film industry, Irish music scenes, and Irish youth. It also examines the film's status as a truly transnational production.
This concise, yet interdisciplinary case study will be of interest to students and researchers in popular music, cultural studies, and sociology, as well as film and media studies.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
19 s/w Abbildungen, 19 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder
19 Halftones, black and white; 19 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
312 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-367-27312-5 (9780367273125)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
09/2023
1st Edition
Routledge
€32.90
Shipment within 10-20 days

E-Book
11/2021
1st Edition
Routledge
€27.49
Available for download

E-Book
11/2021
1st Edition
Routledge
€27.49
Available for download
Person
Nessa Johnston is Senior Lecturer in Media, Film and Television at Edge Hill University, UK. Her research is about sound and music in screen media, cult cinema, media technologies, and media industries.
Content
Introduction: Beyond Text, Beyond Film: The Commitments as Event Chapter 1: A Commitment to Dublin? From Transnational Co-Production to Locational Specificity Chapter 2: 'Say It Loud, I'm Black an' I'm Proud': Intersections of Race, Class, Gender and Youth on Screen and Soundtrack Chapter: 3 Youth Culture and Music Scenes in 1980s and 1990s Dublin. Chapter 4: Songs and Sonic Authenticity: Mediating Musical Performance Conclusion: The Legacy of The Commitments