May 2009 Archives
SOLIDARITY POSTER EXHIBITION
Krzysztof Dydo collection
Linenhall Library vertical gallery until June 3rd 2009
Poland was invaded and partitioned by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. The Soviet Union retained control of the repartitioned Polish state after the Second World War ended. The Soviet Union and its Polish communist puppets were not popular with the Polish people they claimed to speak for.
The 1980s were a tumultuous time in Poland. Workers’ strikes in Gdansk led to the formation of the free Solidarity trade union movement. In 1980, Lech Walesa was elected chairman of this reform movement. The red and white Solidarity logo became an international icon that wrapped itself around the city, creating a visual momentum that led to a political revolution.
Hard-hitting posters played a pivotal role in defining the future. These were often crudely screen-printed but caught the mood of a captive nation ready to throw off its shackles.
In 1989, the day before the country was to vote on the political future of Poland, a poster featuring an image of Gary Cooper from the film “High Noon” was plastered on kiosks and walls around the country. This landmark image of the famous actor strolling towards the viewer depicted him carrying not a gun, but a voting ballot, and wearing a solidarity logo above his sheriff’s badge that read: “It’s high noon, June 4, 1989.” As Frank Fox, former professor of Eastern European History stated: “Indeed, an American Western was an apt symbol for a political duel that marked the beginning of the end of Communism in Eastern Europe. Gary Cooper would have approved.”
This is just one of the images illustrating the Polish path to freedom from communist oppression that can be seen in a new exhibition in the vertical gallery of the Linenhall Library in Belfast. A display of posters and political prints from the Krzysztof Dydo collection can be seen until 3rd June. . DAVID KERR
Krzysztof Dydo collection
Linenhall Library vertical gallery until June 3rd 2009
Poland was invaded and partitioned by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. The Soviet Union retained control of the repartitioned Polish state after the Second World War ended. The Soviet Union and its Polish communist puppets were not popular with the Polish people they claimed to speak for.
The 1980s were a tumultuous time in Poland. Workers’ strikes in Gdansk led to the formation of the free Solidarity trade union movement. In 1980, Lech Walesa was elected chairman of this reform movement. The red and white Solidarity logo became an international icon that wrapped itself around the city, creating a visual momentum that led to a political revolution.
Hard-hitting posters played a pivotal role in defining the future. These were often crudely screen-printed but caught the mood of a captive nation ready to throw off its shackles.
In 1989, the day before the country was to vote on the political future of Poland, a poster featuring an image of Gary Cooper from the film “High Noon” was plastered on kiosks and walls around the country. This landmark image of the famous actor strolling towards the viewer depicted him carrying not a gun, but a voting ballot, and wearing a solidarity logo above his sheriff’s badge that read: “It’s high noon, June 4, 1989.” As Frank Fox, former professor of Eastern European History stated: “Indeed, an American Western was an apt symbol for a political duel that marked the beginning of the end of Communism in Eastern Europe. Gary Cooper would have approved.”
This is just one of the images illustrating the Polish path to freedom from communist oppression that can be seen in a new exhibition in the vertical gallery of the Linenhall Library in Belfast. A display of posters and political prints from the Krzysztof Dydo collection can be seen until 3rd June. . DAVID KERR
FILM REVIEW
STAR TREK:
Live Long and Prosper!
The 2005 movie Batman Begins was the first film I noticed to set the recent Hollywood trend of returning to the early days of a much-loved character. Sony Pictures has done the same with James Bond. Until now, all the movies in the Star Trek canon started off with older versions of the characters we got to Next Generation crew headed up by Captain John-Luc Picard and his First Officer William Riker. Thankfully we were spared big screen versions of the dreadful Deep Space Nine spinoff series.
The latest Star Trek movie is directed by the creator of two top TV shows, Alias and Lost, J J Abrams. He has chosen to go back to the beginnings of the original show’s crew; Kirk, Spock, Uhuru, McCoy, Sulu, Chekov and Scotty. We learn how James T Kirk came to meet the half-human, half-Vulcan Spock and how the crew we remember came to serve together under the USS Enterprise’s first captain, Christopher Pike.
J J Abrams has excelled his brief. He has put together a movie that is fast, furious and fun. This is not just one for the trekkies but one everybody can enjoy. The film opens with a bang even before the opening credits roll. The scene is set when Nero (Eric Bana), a notorious Romulan war criminal, ambushes a Federation starship and murders its captain as he searches for ‘Ambassador Spock’. George Kirk (Chris Hemsworth), the acting captain sacrifices himself to save over 300 crew members including his own wife and newborn son, James Tiberius Kirk.
Young Kirk (Chris Pine) is an angry young man who seems bound to go off the rails as he grows up in rural Iowa. He steals cars as a boy and grows up to pick fights in bars just for the hell of it. Yet Captain Pike (bruce Greenwood), an old friend of his late father, sees the potential in this angry but bright young man and dares him to enlist in Star Fleet. The rest is history.
At the same time, Spock (Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy) grows up suffering the fate of many of those who dare to be different. He is bullied by other Vulcan youngsters to try and get an emotional reaction from him. Even the Vulcan Academy of Science believes that Spock’s excellent grades were a triumph over disability; having a human mother. Because of this, Spock rejects membership of this highly esteemed body and enlists in Starfleet where he first meets Kirk.
Intially Kirk and Spock come into conflict with one-another. Without getting into the details, it’s enough to know the bits and pieces that the writers weave into the script fit into the larger Trek mosaic because they are true to character. Characterisation is the key to this film, especially the enjoyable banter and interplay between Kirk and Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy (Karl Urban).
I’m not sure about the science behind the film. I doubt it would be possible for the young Spock to meet his future self, for example, but who cares? Don’t think too much about it. Hold on to your seat and enjoy the ride.
Every character in this film is believable. There’s not a tedious moment in the entire 127 minutes. The casting is superb. Some of these young actors look uncannily like their predecessors in the role. I was struck by how much Zachary Quinto looked like the younger Leonard Nimoy and how Karl Urban was a dead spit for the original Dr McCoy, Deforest Kelley. The characterisation sets the film head an shoulders above most of the previous Star Trek films. This crew deserves a continuing mission to boldly go around the universe. J J Abrams can do it.
More soon, please.
Directed by: J.J. Abrams.
Certificate:12A
Running time: 127 minutes
STAR TREK:
Live Long and Prosper!
The 2005 movie Batman Begins was the first film I noticed to set the recent Hollywood trend of returning to the early days of a much-loved character. Sony Pictures has done the same with James Bond. Until now, all the movies in the Star Trek canon started off with older versions of the characters we got to Next Generation crew headed up by Captain John-Luc Picard and his First Officer William Riker. Thankfully we were spared big screen versions of the dreadful Deep Space Nine spinoff series.
The latest Star Trek movie is directed by the creator of two top TV shows, Alias and Lost, J J Abrams. He has chosen to go back to the beginnings of the original show’s crew; Kirk, Spock, Uhuru, McCoy, Sulu, Chekov and Scotty. We learn how James T Kirk came to meet the half-human, half-Vulcan Spock and how the crew we remember came to serve together under the USS Enterprise’s first captain, Christopher Pike.
J J Abrams has excelled his brief. He has put together a movie that is fast, furious and fun. This is not just one for the trekkies but one everybody can enjoy. The film opens with a bang even before the opening credits roll. The scene is set when Nero (Eric Bana), a notorious Romulan war criminal, ambushes a Federation starship and murders its captain as he searches for ‘Ambassador Spock’. George Kirk (Chris Hemsworth), the acting captain sacrifices himself to save over 300 crew members including his own wife and newborn son, James Tiberius Kirk.
Young Kirk (Chris Pine) is an angry young man who seems bound to go off the rails as he grows up in rural Iowa. He steals cars as a boy and grows up to pick fights in bars just for the hell of it. Yet Captain Pike (bruce Greenwood), an old friend of his late father, sees the potential in this angry but bright young man and dares him to enlist in Star Fleet. The rest is history.
At the same time, Spock (Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy) grows up suffering the fate of many of those who dare to be different. He is bullied by other Vulcan youngsters to try and get an emotional reaction from him. Even the Vulcan Academy of Science believes that Spock’s excellent grades were a triumph over disability; having a human mother. Because of this, Spock rejects membership of this highly esteemed body and enlists in Starfleet where he first meets Kirk.
Intially Kirk and Spock come into conflict with one-another. Without getting into the details, it’s enough to know the bits and pieces that the writers weave into the script fit into the larger Trek mosaic because they are true to character. Characterisation is the key to this film, especially the enjoyable banter and interplay between Kirk and Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy (Karl Urban).
I’m not sure about the science behind the film. I doubt it would be possible for the young Spock to meet his future self, for example, but who cares? Don’t think too much about it. Hold on to your seat and enjoy the ride.
Every character in this film is believable. There’s not a tedious moment in the entire 127 minutes. The casting is superb. Some of these young actors look uncannily like their predecessors in the role. I was struck by how much Zachary Quinto looked like the younger Leonard Nimoy and how Karl Urban was a dead spit for the original Dr McCoy, Deforest Kelley. The characterisation sets the film head an shoulders above most of the previous Star Trek films. This crew deserves a continuing mission to boldly go around the universe. J J Abrams can do it.
More soon, please.
Directed by: J.J. Abrams.
Certificate:12A
Running time: 127 minutes
OOPS: I got it Wrong!
Carrick Biz readers catch me out.
LAST month’s feature on the Larne Line caught the attention of quite a few Carrick Biz readers. It’s clear that many readers have a great affection for our local railway service and welcome the recent and planned improvements reported in recent issues of your favourite local paper.
Well done to the readers who took the time to point out a rather glaring error in the last issue. The station pictured was not Trooperslane as captioned. It was Kilroot. The Kilroot station was closed in 1977 and demolished two years later.
Reader Jim Gamble was first off the mark, “After reading your latest edition of the Carrick Biz about the Larne Line. I think this photo is of Kilroot Station and not Trooperslane. I came from the area and remember the station well in those days.” Well spotted Jim.
Katie Branagh got it right too, “Great to see old photographs of Carrick in the Carrick Biz. Unfortunately the location of the steam train stopped at the station in the April edition is not Trooperslane, as probably loads of people have told you.” You’re right, there, Katie. It’s been a while since I’ve had so much mail on the one subject.
Katie has her own memories of Kilroot station. The picture showed, “the white pillars of the gateway to Rosganna Manor on the right hand side and the station master’s house and signal box on the left. There was also a parcels office and a through way to a large turning circle behind the station. It must have been a very important station in its day. We used to walk the railway path along beside the wall of Rosganna Manor up to Kilroot from Eden halt and then on along the railway path to the Three Arches. This photograph certainly brings back memories.” Kilroot station was quite important, as it was the terminus for many of the local trains leaving from the old York Road station in Belfast.
H E Hamilton added some more detail to the mix. Kilroot station, “stood where the line passes through the power station, which of course was not there when the picture was taken. That seems to be one of the early RPSI specials with ex GNR loco 171, probably in the late 1960s as the RPSI was formed in the mid 60s. Kilroot had 2 cross-overs and local trains terminated there through the 40s and into the 1950s.” Mr Hamilton knows his trains. He is spot-on in his obversations.
He goes on to describe some other defunct branch lines. “Courtaulds had its sidings with the 2 small locos Patricia and Wilfrid, handling their coal and wood (not paper) pulp for the manufacture of rayon.
“There was also a line diverging to the right between the Mount and Clipperstown which ran at the back of the houses of Ellis Street, past the Chapel, over the main road by way of the Tramway bridge and down to the west pier or coal quay as it was known. This line was a separate company known as the Carrickfergus Harbour Junction Railway, and my late father Richard A Hamilton was the secretary during its final years.”
Another reader, Richard White, takes a great interest in local history, collecting old photographs and studying historic maps. He comments. “There is a lot to be learned, even in an apparently nondescript settlement such as Greenisland.”
He adds, “The one issue about track lines that you did not mention was the ‘tramway’ that ran from Woodburn, parallel with the road and towards Trooperslane before sweeping down and along again to join the main line. I would guess that it was around two miles long. There was a lot of industry around Woodburn at the time (mills and salt mines). I assume it was a means of getting produce to the main line.
“The course of the tramway is easy to see on Google Earth since the hedge lines remain. I also use the OSNI historic maps section for a rough idea of dates. My guess is that it could have been in use for a century since 1850 (trees are depicted growing on it post 1950).” Mr White is looking for any source of information on this subject. I’m sure Carick Biz readers will be able to help.
Finally, Mr White and other readers ask if copies of the 2002 Colourpoint book, Along UTA Lines by Ian McClarnon Sinclair are still available. I did an on-line search and he news isn’t good. This book was published at £14.95 but some specialist dealers are looking for as much as £129.00 for a copy. I’m afraid you’ll just have to scour the second-hand bookshops in search of a copy or borrow it from your local library.
Carrick Biz readers catch me out.
LAST month’s feature on the Larne Line caught the attention of quite a few Carrick Biz readers. It’s clear that many readers have a great affection for our local railway service and welcome the recent and planned improvements reported in recent issues of your favourite local paper.
Well done to the readers who took the time to point out a rather glaring error in the last issue. The station pictured was not Trooperslane as captioned. It was Kilroot. The Kilroot station was closed in 1977 and demolished two years later.
Reader Jim Gamble was first off the mark, “After reading your latest edition of the Carrick Biz about the Larne Line. I think this photo is of Kilroot Station and not Trooperslane. I came from the area and remember the station well in those days.” Well spotted Jim.
Katie Branagh got it right too, “Great to see old photographs of Carrick in the Carrick Biz. Unfortunately the location of the steam train stopped at the station in the April edition is not Trooperslane, as probably loads of people have told you.” You’re right, there, Katie. It’s been a while since I’ve had so much mail on the one subject.
Katie has her own memories of Kilroot station. The picture showed, “the white pillars of the gateway to Rosganna Manor on the right hand side and the station master’s house and signal box on the left. There was also a parcels office and a through way to a large turning circle behind the station. It must have been a very important station in its day. We used to walk the railway path along beside the wall of Rosganna Manor up to Kilroot from Eden halt and then on along the railway path to the Three Arches. This photograph certainly brings back memories.” Kilroot station was quite important, as it was the terminus for many of the local trains leaving from the old York Road station in Belfast.
H E Hamilton added some more detail to the mix. Kilroot station, “stood where the line passes through the power station, which of course was not there when the picture was taken. That seems to be one of the early RPSI specials with ex GNR loco 171, probably in the late 1960s as the RPSI was formed in the mid 60s. Kilroot had 2 cross-overs and local trains terminated there through the 40s and into the 1950s.” Mr Hamilton knows his trains. He is spot-on in his obversations.
He goes on to describe some other defunct branch lines. “Courtaulds had its sidings with the 2 small locos Patricia and Wilfrid, handling their coal and wood (not paper) pulp for the manufacture of rayon.
“There was also a line diverging to the right between the Mount and Clipperstown which ran at the back of the houses of Ellis Street, past the Chapel, over the main road by way of the Tramway bridge and down to the west pier or coal quay as it was known. This line was a separate company known as the Carrickfergus Harbour Junction Railway, and my late father Richard A Hamilton was the secretary during its final years.”
Another reader, Richard White, takes a great interest in local history, collecting old photographs and studying historic maps. He comments. “There is a lot to be learned, even in an apparently nondescript settlement such as Greenisland.”
He adds, “The one issue about track lines that you did not mention was the ‘tramway’ that ran from Woodburn, parallel with the road and towards Trooperslane before sweeping down and along again to join the main line. I would guess that it was around two miles long. There was a lot of industry around Woodburn at the time (mills and salt mines). I assume it was a means of getting produce to the main line.
“The course of the tramway is easy to see on Google Earth since the hedge lines remain. I also use the OSNI historic maps section for a rough idea of dates. My guess is that it could have been in use for a century since 1850 (trees are depicted growing on it post 1950).” Mr White is looking for any source of information on this subject. I’m sure Carick Biz readers will be able to help.
Finally, Mr White and other readers ask if copies of the 2002 Colourpoint book, Along UTA Lines by Ian McClarnon Sinclair are still available. I did an on-line search and he news isn’t good. This book was published at £14.95 but some specialist dealers are looking for as much as £129.00 for a copy. I’m afraid you’ll just have to scour the second-hand bookshops in search of a copy or borrow it from your local library.
Third Carrickfergus Band
NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED
THE EVER-popular local silver band, Third Carrickfergus Band has just launched its new website on www.thirdcarrickband.co.uk The band, which celbrated its golden jubilee last year is due to record a new album next month.
This so far un-named CD should be completed and available for sale during the summer months and will feature a selection of entertaining pieces which the band members hope you will enjoy. One piece which will be featured is the band's new signature march On the Castle Green which was commissioned by the band as part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2008 and which was composed by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.
Watch this space for more information.
NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED
THE EVER-popular local silver band, Third Carrickfergus Band has just launched its new website on www.thirdcarrickband.co.uk The band, which celbrated its golden jubilee last year is due to record a new album next month.
This so far un-named CD should be completed and available for sale during the summer months and will feature a selection of entertaining pieces which the band members hope you will enjoy. One piece which will be featured is the band's new signature march On the Castle Green which was commissioned by the band as part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2008 and which was composed by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.
Watch this space for more information.
FILM REVIEW
STATE OF PLAY (12A)
Della Frye: Did we just break the law?
Cal McAffrey: Nope. That’s what you call damn fine reporting.
State of Play is an Americanised version of a BBCtv thriller serial. I have no idea how it compares to the original as I’ve never seen it. What we have is a decent thriller in which a seasoned Washington journalist and an ambitious junior writer uncover a conspiracy involving the reporters old college pal, an up-and-coming Congressman who is beginning to make a name for himself.
When a petty thief and a passing cyclist are gunned down in an alleyway and a Congressman’s assistant falls in front of a subway train nobody sees any connection between these seemingly unrelated deaths. The brash newspaper reporter Cal McAffrey (Russel Crowe) spies a conspiracy waiting to be uncovered.
McAffrey has had an illicit relationship with Congressman Stephen Collins’ (Ben Affleck) wife, Anne (Robin Wight Pemberton) which complicates his attempts to find out the truth behind his suspicions. At first he is irritated by an ambitious young rookie writer Della Frye, (Rachel McAdams) but as he works with her he begins to trust her with more details of his case. McAffrey and Frye begin to uncover clues that lead them to a corporate cover-up full of insiders, informants, and assassins.
Some of the story doesn’t ring true. I doubt if any real newspaper editor would sit on her hands with nothing to run on the front page should her star reporter fail to come up with the goods but that’s what Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirren) does in this movie. That’s a minor flaw, though in this thriller. Brad Pitt is reported to have walked away from State of Play as he didn’t like the script. I think he made a big mistake as it is a cracking story with lots of action and satisfying twists. That was his loss and Ben Affleck’s gain.
Affleck is convincing as the rising, smooth politician who starts to fall apart when his mistress falls under a train and he becomes the focus of hostile media attention. This one may get overshadowed by some of the blockbusters due for release in the next few weeks but it’s well worth seeing. If you can’t get into a showing of Star Trek and don’t want to go home you could do much worse. Give it a go. You won’t be sorry.
Directed by Kevin MacDonald
Certificate: 12A
Running time: 127 minutes
STATE OF PLAY (12A)
Della Frye: Did we just break the law?
Cal McAffrey: Nope. That’s what you call damn fine reporting.
State of Play is an Americanised version of a BBCtv thriller serial. I have no idea how it compares to the original as I’ve never seen it. What we have is a decent thriller in which a seasoned Washington journalist and an ambitious junior writer uncover a conspiracy involving the reporters old college pal, an up-and-coming Congressman who is beginning to make a name for himself.
When a petty thief and a passing cyclist are gunned down in an alleyway and a Congressman’s assistant falls in front of a subway train nobody sees any connection between these seemingly unrelated deaths. The brash newspaper reporter Cal McAffrey (Russel Crowe) spies a conspiracy waiting to be uncovered.
McAffrey has had an illicit relationship with Congressman Stephen Collins’ (Ben Affleck) wife, Anne (Robin Wight Pemberton) which complicates his attempts to find out the truth behind his suspicions. At first he is irritated by an ambitious young rookie writer Della Frye, (Rachel McAdams) but as he works with her he begins to trust her with more details of his case. McAffrey and Frye begin to uncover clues that lead them to a corporate cover-up full of insiders, informants, and assassins.
Some of the story doesn’t ring true. I doubt if any real newspaper editor would sit on her hands with nothing to run on the front page should her star reporter fail to come up with the goods but that’s what Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirren) does in this movie. That’s a minor flaw, though in this thriller. Brad Pitt is reported to have walked away from State of Play as he didn’t like the script. I think he made a big mistake as it is a cracking story with lots of action and satisfying twists. That was his loss and Ben Affleck’s gain.
Affleck is convincing as the rising, smooth politician who starts to fall apart when his mistress falls under a train and he becomes the focus of hostile media attention. This one may get overshadowed by some of the blockbusters due for release in the next few weeks but it’s well worth seeing. If you can’t get into a showing of Star Trek and don’t want to go home you could do much worse. Give it a go. You won’t be sorry.
Directed by Kevin MacDonald
Certificate: 12A
Running time: 127 minutes
