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Penance – Watch Online

Plot Summary

“Father Eoin O’Donnell is unambiguous about the need to use violence to force Britain out of Ireland. He influences a young impressionable boy, Antainem to fight in the 1916 Rising. Fifty years later Antaine arrives in Derry as an experienced gunman. This appearance throws Eoin back to the cause of his breakdown in 1916. Eoin’s influence on young Antaine echoes in Antaine’s dark influence on altar boy Feidhlim.” – Gabriel Byrne

Main Storyline

In 1916, fire-brand Father Eoin O’Donnell is convinced that only violence will force Britain out of Ireland. He influences young, impressionable, Antaine to fight in the Easter Rising. 50 years on, experienced gunman Antaine arrives in Derry where Eoin was sent in Penance in 1916, and rekindles Eoin’s guilt about his influence over Antaine while a boy: especially as it’s echoed in Antaine’s dark influence over his congregation, especially altar boy, Feidhlim. Eoin now abhors violence and tries to persuade Antaine to negotiate. Failing, he realizes the only way to break the cycle of violence and revenge is to undermine Feidhlim’s belief in Antaine as a hero. And for that he must sacrifice himself. Eoin informs on Antaine. As he struggles with this betrayal he says Mass: perhaps his own Last Rights. As Feidhlim enters the Church, history comes full circle.” – John Maguire

Film Description

This film is intended to reach an international audience who may know little of Irish politics but may know that Ireland and Britain have been blighted by acts of violence. Focusing on how rhetoric and emotional language can color our grasp of events. The film stands as a dramatic thriller. It focuses on two significant violent events: the Proclamation of Independence from Britain in 1916, and the arrival of British troops as ‘Peacekeepers’ in a part of the United Kingdom, Derry, 1969. This dramatic situation is mirrored in a character Fr Eoin and his friend, Antaine. Antaine as a young man was brought into the world of political violence by Fr Eoin. When Antaine turns up to fight the British in Derry in 1969, Father Eoin must decide if he can let the cycle of violence continue. Will history repeat itself? And what is the cost of saying ‘it ends here’? – Padraig Ó Siorcha

Don’t miss out on the gripping story of Penance. Watch online now and delve into the complex themes of violence, influence, and redemption. Witness the power of choices and their consequences in this thought-provoking drama.