Remembering otherwise: media memory, gender and Margaret Thatcher in Irish hunger strike films

This article analyses two films about the Irish republican prison protests and hunger strikes of 1981 – Terry George’s Some Mother’s Son (1996) Steve McQueen’s Hunger (2008) as countermemories dominant British media coverage strikes. Focusing on use voice/image prime minister Margaret Thatcher in these films, asks for what purpose to effect clips recordings are employed suggests that Thatcher’s gender does matter films. In contrast worried mothers incarcerated sons, appears unbending Iron Lady government Son, representing gendered chief villain film. Hunger, cold, disembodied female voice acousmêtre is set against resisting suffering male body Bobby Sands. addresses depictions their construction through silence. both presence used invoke old create new memories strike.