My Traitor

"My Traitor" is the unflinching story of Antoine, an idealistic young French violin maker, who takes a train from Dublin to Belfast in 1977 and is propelled into the heart of the Falls Road and the Republican movement. He meets Tyrone Meehan, a charismatic high-ranking member of the IRA, who becomes his friend and mentor who introduces him to Ireland's music, pubs, suffering and beauty. As he increasingly identifies with his new-found home, Antoine leaves behind his life in Paris. During the next thirty years, he travels to Long Kesh and to Donegal, learns about bombs, and prison, and loyalty; he tries to become involved in the Republican movement. Then, in 2005, his world falls apart when the IRA lay down their arms and discover that Tyrone has been an informant to the British for the past 20 years. Paradoxically, through his friend's betrayal, Antoine becomes wholly part of the community - and a circle closes in a satisfying yet deeply troubling resolution. An intense depiction of the nature of friendship and loyalty, and the loss and emptiness brought about by betrayal, "My Traitor" is alive with historical resonance. The outsider's view of the conflict and the country provides a compelling insight of a terrible period in Irish history.