Film Lens
Bonfires is a Canadian short documentary directed by Martin Bureau, released in 2017. The film captures the Eleventh Night celebrations in Northern Ireland, where Ulster Protestants light large bonfires to commemorate their victory over Catholics in the Battle of the Boyne. This event is marked by controversy due to its historical and cultural implications in a divided society.
The film premiered at the Traces de vies documentary film festival in Clermont-Ferrand in 2017 and was later included in Bureau's multimedia exhibition Les murs du désordre. With a runtime of 6 minutes, it provides a focused look at the traditions surrounding this annual event and the tensions it evokes within the community.
Why Watch
- •See the Eleventh Night celebrations in Northern Ireland.
- •Meet director Martin Bureau and his unique perspective.
- •Find out about the cultural significance of bonfires.
Did You Know
•The film won the Prix Farel for best short film in 2018.
•It was screened at multiple film festivals after its premiere in 2017.
•Bonfires received a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2019.
Perfect For
Cultural traditionsNorthern Ireland historyShort documentary films