“In the midst of death, we are in life.” This quote perfectly introduces Aoife Kelleher’s One Million Dubliners, a surprising and emotive documentary about Glasnevin cemetery. Sensitive and life-affirming, the film’s apparent exploration of death actually reveals the great beating heart of Dublin city, and Irish history.
Featuring the passionate and endearing Cemetery Historian Shane MacThomais, Kelleher’s film explores the history of this Dublin landmark, from its foundation in 1832, to the impact it has today on both visitors in mourning and tourists in passing. Through interviews, tours, and beautifully lingering shots of the 150-acre site, Kelleher explores the origin of this non-denominational cemetery. Its unequivocal respect for all people – whether ill, poverty-stricken or religiously oppressed - became symbolic of the universal nature of life and death, and it became the burial site for Ireland’s national heroes.
Issues of legacy and romanticising death are warmly addressed, as the film reveals the many tourists who come to visit Michael Collins’ grave because they fell for Liam Neeson’s “dreamy” performance in the 1996 film. As revenue from this well-intentioned cultural tourism helps the cemetery maintain the site and its other 1.2 million residents, we see that there is no hierarchy in death.
And no death without life, as Kelleher is keen to point out. The director sensitively delves into the lives of those who work in and visit Glasnevin, such as the mysterious French woman who is a frequent visitor, and MacThomais himself, whose personal revelations are filled with humour, empathy and passion. That MacThomais died this year adds another level of poignancy to this sensitive feature.
As discussions of economics and the banalities of death keep the feature grounded and free from sentimentality, One Million Dubliners becomes a thought-provoking exploration of Ireland’s relationship with death, ancestry and culture.
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