Terminating The Arts

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I always had this sense that the arts were being neutered and framed as “just for kids”, often presented in great big nursery colors as “harmless fun”. A device to get in touch with your inner child.

The proof is in the pudding as they say, as yesterday’s Irish Times article by Una Mullally shows when Dublin City council cancelled a literary event with a repeal the 8th theme. This coming shortly after the painting-over of Yes murals.

No sooner do the arts get a little political than they’re literally shut down.

There is also a short film called ‘Terminal ‘(above) doing the rounds about two women on the ferry to England which RTÉ has decided to shelve until after the referendum.

Now I understand that RTÉ as a public service broadcaster have to be seen to be impartial, but the church are reading the No side from the pulpits.

The Limerick Leader carried a report yesterday of the Yes position being likened to the Holocaust by a well known journalist speaking from a church pulpit; which, when you think about it, is an insult to both the Yes side, the Holocaust, Journalism and pulpits in general.

But what is RTÉ only a secular pulpit? God knows it is often used for that purpose.

‘Terminal’, politely deferred by the national broadcaster until after the referendum, is a valid artistic contribution to the referendum debate.In that respect it is arguably in the public interest to show the film.

Not showing the film at a time of its peak relevance is no different really than the no-sayers driving around in vans tearing down Yes posters.

Show the film RTÉ, for crying out loud.

Eamonn Kelly is a freelance writer

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19 thoughts on “Terminating The Arts

  1. Rudy

    “The proof is in the pudding as they say”.

    They might say it, but it doesn’t make them right.

    “The proof of the pudding is in the eating” – see? That makes sense.

    That apart, I totally agree with your post!

    1. Not On Your Nelly

      I like pudding, I’m partial to the black but I won’t say no to the white stuff.

      1. Not On Your Nelly

        Not now but my mother might like one, I’ll ask her and get back to you.

  2. Barry the Hatchet

    “No sooner do the arts get a little political than they’re literally shut down.” This is lazy b*llocks. The issue with Una’s event was that we are in the midst of a major referendum campaign and the event was supported by public funds. If you have a problem with that, speak to the Supreme Court.

  3. Daisy Chainsaw

    I’m shocked that the Handmaid’s Tale is being shown on RTE1 at the moment. Maybe antichoice busybodies only watch RTE1…

    1. mildred st. meadowlark

      That shows the subjugation of women Daisy, that’s totally different.

    2. EK

      There is a kind of middle Ireland whose sensibilities are constantly being protected from the realities of modern life. This is why RTE newsreaders talk so loud and spell everything out because they sincerely believe they are talking to a bunch of old deaf people, and they probably are. Old deaf nuns I think, for the most part. This is why they put modern phrases in a kind of jocular inverted commas. As if modern life is some kind of silliness that the “young people” engage in out of a kind of cute desperation.

    1. EK

      Exactly. Doesn’t it contribute to the debate? So why not show it. Maybe because it is too persuasive.

      1. Barry the Hatchet

        Oh don’t get all conspiratorial Eamonn. I expect RTE are not showing it because they’re afraid of breaching the Coughlan judgment. If that is the reason then it’s a poor and spineless interpretation of that judgment (so what’s new), but not part of some conspiracy to prevent repeal.

  4. Sentient Won

    The ‘Yes’ side’s obsession with destroying human lives and then insisting on being allowed to promote this destruction of human life in the public realm are the actions of a Satanic Cult of Death.

    You people are sick.

    1. Brother Barnabas

      you need to get off the fence and say exactly what you’re thinking

    2. IonaLotOfProblems

      The Satanic Cult of Death rules me.
      I believe in it blindly.
      It’s called faith, you wouldn’t understand.
      I would follow my murder machine faith through anything… and I mean anything like.. they could r@pe/sell/kill children for years and I would still believe.

      1. EK

        Congratulations. That’s called an entirely successful brainwashing. Good for you.

    3. EK

      Your weighting the debate towards a very peculiar view of life that many people find is steeped in ignorance and fear.

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