The 100 club
The last few years have seen a steady stream of dramas linked to centenaries, such as those of the Titanic sinking, the start of Word War One and the Gallipoli Campaign. Irish public broadcaster RTÉ has now decided to get in on the act by greenlighting Rebellion, a 5×60 miniseries that will mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the campaign for Irish independence, commonly known as the 1916 Easter Uprising. Produced by Zodiak Media-owned independent producer Touchpaper Television and commissioned by RTÉ head of drama Jane Gogan, Rebellion will be shot in Dublin. Commenting on the project, RTÉ Television MD Glen Killane said: “Rebellion will form an important part of what is a significant investment by RTÉ in engaging the Irish public around 1916.” RTÉ’s focus on this fascinating period is an interesting reminder of how countries prioritise landmarks in different ways. While the Easter Uprising was a seminal point in Irish history, 1916 for the UK is remembered primarily for the Battle of the Somme, which began in July. Over in Italy, meanwhile, WW1 didn’t actually start until May 1915. That explains why Italian coverage of the conflict is operating at a slight time lag. This month, for example, Carlo Carlei has just entered production on Il Confine (The Border), an epic miniseries set during the early years of the Great War. In TV terms, the key takeout from this historic relativism is that a project with resonance in one market may not have resonance in another. … Continue reading The 100 club
