Murderers, Magic and Memories"¦a Taste of Irish Film at the Belfast Film Festival
The 11th Belfast Film Festival will see a mixed and diverse selection of BSÉ/IFB titles screening over the two week duration including Colm McCarthy's OUTCAST, Sé Merry Doyle's DREAMING THE QUIET MAN and RETURN TO ROSCOFF and NEEDLE EXCHANGE, both produced by award-winning company Venom Films.
The festival, which kicked off with a gala screening of Nick Hamm's Killing Bono, showcases both local talent and the best in new international cinema and has attracted film industry guests such as Martin Sheen, Tom Berenger, Jim Sheridan, Crispin Glover, Seamus Mc Garvey, Julie Christie and many others.
Included in the line-up is the feature film OUTCAST, an intense thriller written and directed by Colm McCarthy and starring James Nesbitt and Kate Dickie which tells the story of a witch and her son who flee a hunter charged with wiping out any evidence of their existence. OFF THE BEATEN TRACK, directed by Dieter Auner, is a beautifully observed, powerful but gentle documentary about the changing world of shepherds in Transylvania. Sé Merry Doyle's DREAMING THE QUIET MAN features contributions from well-known commentators and film makers including Peter Bogdanovich, Martin Scorsese, Jim Sheridan and Maureen O' Hara as they discuss the Oscar-winning film The Quiet Man while Enda Hughes' MEN OF ARLINGTON documents the lives of residents of London's Arlington House which housed thousands of Irishmen who fled Ireland in the 1950's in search of work.
Screening in the shorts programme is the award-winning short documentary BYE BYE NOW which was directed and produced by Aideen O'Sullivan and Ross Whittaker and follows the proposed removal of phoneboxes from around the country while Vincent Gallagher's SIGNS proves there is magic in what we see every day; we just have to look hard enough. Ken Wardrop's RETURN TO ROSCOFF and Colm Quinn's short documentary NEEDLE EXCHANGE, both produced by Andrew Freedman for Venom Films complete the line-up.
For further information see http://www.belfastfilmfestival.org/home.html
About OUTCAST
OUTCAST tells the story of Mary and her son Fergal who are on the run from Cathal, a dangerous and terrifying man, intent on tracking down and killing them using a dark form of magic to find them. Mary's only defense is to use the same ancient form of magic in order to protect her son but then local residents start being brutally murdered by an unknown life force. Is Cathal the beast responsible for the killings or is it the beast that he is trying to destroy? The tale which was filmed on location in Galway film has screened at numerous festivals around the world including SXSW in the US, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Brussels International Fantasy Festival. It was produced by Brendan McCarthy and John McDonnell for Fantastic Films and Makar Films and was financed by the BSÉ/IFB, Scottish Screen, Bankside Films and Headgear.
About OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
The film follows Albin, a teenage shepherd from a remote village in Northern Transylvania, over the course of a year as he makes his way through the ever-changing environment where traditions and the slow pace of the shepherds' routine are gradually being replaced by modern values. The film was produced by Suin Ni Raghallaigh, Dieter Auner, and Cristian Mungiu for Ikandi Productions with support from BSÉ/IFB and Mobra Films. It has been previously selected to screen at Rotterdam and Transylvania festivals.
About DREAMING THE QUIET MAN
There are cinematic milestones that have left a marked impression on the landscapes in which they were filmed. John Ford's take on his idealised vision of Ireland, The Quiet Man, is one such film. When it was released The Quiet Man became a major hit all across the world and won Oscars for Best Director and Best Cinematography. This documentary features contributions from well-known commentators and filmmakers. Produced by Martina Durac and Vanessa Gildea for Loopline Films, it received finance from BSÉ/IFB, TG4 and BAI.
About MEN OF ARLINGTON
The film documents the lives of residents of London's Arlington House, which housed thousands of Irishmen who fled Ireland in the 1950's in search of work. These men dug the roads and rebuilt Britain after the war. For most, Arlington offered a bed for a few nights as they established themselves in a new country. But for others it became a home for life. It is the story of those men who lost themselves on their journey, but found shelter and community in the halls of the 'big house'. It was produced by Brendan J Byrne for Hot Shot Films with backing from BSÉ/IFB, BAI, and BBC Northern Ireland.
About BYE BYE NOW
The poignant film follows the proposed removal of a number of phoneboxes from around the country which sparked many fond memories in the lives of the rural communities. In a loving tribute through a series of interviews and live footage, this charming film acknowledges how the phonebox has gone from the centre of Irish life to the verge of extinction with the advent of modern technology. Produced through the IFB Reality Bites scheme, it has taken the festival circuit by storm with selections across the globe including Edinburgh, Dallas, Utah, San Francisco, Vancouver, Krakow and Palm Springs to name a few.
About SIGNS
Written and directed by Vincent Gallagher, SIGNS was financed by the IFB Virtual Cinema digital short film scheme and had its première at the Darklight Film Festival last October. It was shortlisted for the Best Use of Film or Animation award at this year's Digital Media Awards.
About RETURN TO ROSCOFF
This short film sees a woman attempt to introduce her son to his estranged father. Directed by Ken Wardrop, this is a French/Irish co-production with Andrew Freedman for Venom Films.
About NEEDLE EXCHANGE
Two recovering drug addicts practice tattooing on each other and find over time they mark each other in more ways than merely the physical. Produced through the IFB Reality Bites shcort doucemtnary scheme, it premiered at last years Corona Cork Film Festival.
About Belfast Film Festival
The Belfast Film Festival originated as part of Féile an Phobail and within a short timeframe, it built quickly upon its early successes to become an autonomous citywide event in 1999. The festival's activities are entertaining and provocative, and in many instances provide an important platform for debate across the religious, social and cultural divides in Northern Ireland. The festival promotes film education and practical filmmaking skills and takes place from 31st March - 14th April.