Quantifying National Cinema: A Case Study of the Irish Film Board 1993–2013. Issue 1 (1st May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Flynn, Roddy; Tracy, Tony
• Is Part Of: Film studies. Volume 14:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2016-05-01
• Subjects: national cinema -- Irish film -- quantitative analysis -- funding bodies; Motion pictures -- History -- Periodicals; Motion pictures -- Periodicals; 791.43
• DOI: 10.7227/FS.14.0003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1469-0314

Abstract

Abstract : This article sets out to reinvigorate national cinema studies in an Irish context through a quantitative analysis of films financed by the Irish Film Board between 1993 and 2013. In constructing and coding a database of titles produced with the aid of state finance during this period, the authors argue for a methodology that broadens the inductive approaches of textual analysis that have dominated discussions of Irish cinema to date. By establishing recurring genres, narrative patterns, themes and char- acter types present in IFB-funded films during this period, this article demonstrates how the professional objectives of IFB personnel have shaped institutional funding outcomes.