DVD of film adaptation of celebrated Irish language novel ‘Cré na Cille’ now available to buy
A DVD of ‘Cré na Cille', the feature film adaptation of Máirtín Ó Cadhain's celebrated Irish language novel, has been released and will be available to buy from selected retailers and websites from 27 November onwards. Log onto http://www.rosg.ie/ for all purchasing information.
The DVD, which has subtitles in Irish, English, French, Spanish, German and Chinese, is a darkly-humorous tale of an intense jealousy and hatred between two sisters which worsens with age and continues into the afterlife.
Directed by Robert Quinn and produced by Ciaran Ó Cofaigh for ROSG, a Conamara based film and television production company, ‘Cré na Cille' was shot with a cast and crew of 60 people in a variety of locations around Conamara. The DVD also includes a documentary on the making of the film.
Starring Bríd Ní Neachtain as Caitríona Pháidín, ‘Cré na Cille focuses' on a variety of buried bodies who are tormented by the slow passing of time and gossip non-stop about one another. The main character, Caitríona, has passed on to the afterlife and is eagerly awaiting the death of her sister Neil so that the pair can continue the long running battle of hatred between them. Throughout the film, viewers are introduced to Caitríona's cohabitants in the graveyard and a number of newly-deceased people who bring with them news of the latest outrages happening above ground.
Other cast members in ‘Cré na Cille', which translates as Graveyard Soil, include talented Irish language actors Macdara Ó Fátharta, well known from his role as evil Tadhg in the TG4 soap Ros na Rún, Peadar Lamb, Joe Steve Ó Neachtain, Diarmuid Mac an Adhastair and Máire Ní Mháille.
A number of the actors starring in the film production have previously starred in a dramatic version of the novel which was adapted for the stage by Macdara Ó Fátharta. In fact Bríd Ní Neachtain was nominated for an Irish Times Theatre Award for her performance in the play in 2002.
Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, producer of Cré na Cille, says "Máirtín Ó Cadhain's novel is probably the most important contemporary literary piece of work written in the Irish language. Our film adaptation accentuates the comedic element of this fantastic piece of work and makes it much more accessible to both Irish and non-Irish speaking audiences. The availability of this DVD will really help to expose both Máirtín Ó Cadhain's work and the Irish language to a much wider audience."
‘Cré na Cille' was co-funded by TG4, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland ‘Sound and Vision' scheme and private investment through Section 481. Other support has been received from the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, to bring the finished film to a final 35mm print and thus enabling it's screening in festivals and cinemas.