The Pipe Officially Selected for Prestigious Toronto Festival
The Irish feature documentary The Pipe, directed by Risteard O'Domhnall, has been officially selected for the Real to Reel section of the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, which takes place from 9th - 19th September.
This emotional documentary chronicles local farmers and fishermen who rise up in protest, fearing explosions and environmental hazards, when Shell Oil decide to build a giant high-pressure pipe to transport raw gas through the town of Rossport to an inland refinery. The film plunges us into violent clashes between protestors and the Gardaí, and as tension mounts, the community divides over how to confront Shell and five local men known as the ‘Rossport Five' serve time in jail.
The Pipe had its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh last month to an outstanding reception, where it scooped the Best Documentary award. Produced by Rachel Lysaght for Scannaín Inbhear, it was co-financed by the IFB/BSÉ and TG4.
It is the second year in a row that an IFB funded documentary has been selected for the Real to Reel section of the festival as Ross McDonnell and Carter Gunn's critically acclaimed documentary Colony was selected for it last year.
The Toronto International Film Festival has become one of the most successful cinematic events in the world, universally regarded as an ideal platform to premiere films and is considered the main film festival in North America. It has previously showcased successful independent films such as Juno, Slumdog Millionaire and Little Miss Sunshine.
A record number of Irish films were selected for last year's festival including Neil Jordan's Ondine, Perrier's Bounty starring Cillian Murphy and Brendan Gleeson, Triage starring Colin Farrell, Cracks starring Eva Green, Margaret Corkery's Eamon and A Shine of Rainbows, an Irish/Canadian Co-production starring Aidan Quinn and Connie Nelson.
The 35th Toronto International Film Festival will take place from 9th - 19th September.