The Raj In The Rain
March. 31,2012
The Raj in the Rain is an affectionate, insightful and frequently bizarre portrait of a dwindling tribe – the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy. For centuries, the landed gentry lead privileged lives in palatial mansions on vast rambling estates. Following Ireland’s independence, the community entered a period of decline, estates were broken up and today fewer than 30 families occupy their original estates. The film presents a kaleidoscope of snapshots of this almost extinct tribe as they potter around their crumbling piles contemplating their lot. Among them are: Sir John Leslie, 96-year-old night-clubber of Castle Leslie; Olivia Durdin-Robertson of Huntington Castle, member of the Temple of Isis; Mark Bence Jones of Glenville, Co. Cork chronicler of his peers; and Josslyn Gore Booth as he leaves his Sligo home in Lissadell. Filmed over ten years this documentary offers access to this rarefied world and its eccentric inhabitants.
Reviews
Good concept, poorly executed.
Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
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