How about "a cinematic account of Ireland's rise to independance"

Yes, it should be 'the rise to independence.' The rest is grammatically okay, just not especially interesting.

I would assume that your paper is not just looking at the film as background, but is in fact analyzing its treatment of the topic, comparing its perspective with what you know about the historical facts, or perhaps with previous films or depictions in books or plays or whatever. In general, an academic paper should never merely describe or summarize; it needs to express your own opinion or perception, your interpretation of the evidence. Ideally, the title should give the reader a hint about that judgment, that opinion, because it's going to be your thesis, the point you're arguing in the paper, the thing that will make readers want to read it.

So (without taking time to look up the film, which I've never heard of), I might suggest something more like

How grass-roots resistance brought freedom: The fragile path to Irish independence in "The Wind That Shakes the Barley"
Propaganda masquerading as history: One-sided characters in "The Wind That Shakes the Barley"
The dramatic power of "The Wind That Shakes the Barley": How a single film changed modern perceptions of the rise to Irish independence

Do you see how all those titles include a clue to the opinion of the writer, the angle the paper is going to pursue?

The Art of Déformation historique in "The Wind That Shakes the Barley"

thank you all, especially hm--us

What I'm actually doing is that I'm firstly elaborating on events that led to the Irish War of Independence, the Anglo-Irish Peace Treaty and the subsequent Civil War. Then I'm discussing the film (summary, reception of the film, certain aspects that I discuss) and afterwards I describe the events themselves with more detail, referring to the film and using quotes from it. Then I give a brief overlook of how the situation further developed (i.e. Northern Ireland conflict,...), then an article about what role religion played in the conflict. At last, I'm representing my personal response to the film and my opinion on question it raises and elaborate on a few things that I have experienced myself in Ireland while living there for 10 months with a host family.
So it's really not only about the film, but about the history that stands behind it.
Thanks for all your suggestions, they certainly sound way better than mine, I'll just have to decide now how exactly I'm going to name it^^

Wow, that sounds impressive. So maybe something sort of like

Insiders and outsiders: ...
Where religion meets politics: ...
... "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" as one German student's introduction/entrée to Irish history
Ireland then and now: ...
... "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" as a unique perspective on the rise to independence

Capsule introduction? Stepping stone? Bird's-eye view? Noooo ...

Sorry, those are all pretty lame, but maybe some of that will trigger more brilliant ideas from you. Good luck. (-:

Thanks so much once more!
I just thought I'd let you know, I actually chose one of your suggestions How grass-roots resistance brought freedom: The fragile path to Irish independence in "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" 'cos I thought it really did fit well. So thanks so much for that, I think the title is like one of the most important things in any paper=)
I'm done with it now actually, I just printed it off, just have to get it bound tomorrow=) It sums up to 50 pages, a 'bit' more than we were supposed to do, but anyway^^