Breathnach’s MAN ABOUT DOG beats Hollywood heavyweights at Box Office
Treasure Entertainment’s MAN ABOUT DOG has scored a major success at the Irish box office by going straight to Number 1 this weekend grossing €200,000. This action comedy set in the world of greyhound racing beat off stiff competition from Tom Cruise starrer COLLATERAL, Working Title’s romantic comedy WIMBLEDON, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow starrer SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, and LAYER CAKE from the makers of LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS.“This is another extraordinary performance for the Irish film industry” says Brendan McCaul of Buena Vista International (Ireland). “Not only are we number one but we beat the competition out of sight and with a smaller release. It’s a truly extraordinary performance and I’m delighted to be working with Paddy Breathnach and Rob Walpole again on another successful film.”
Director Paddy Breathnach is “delighted” that people are going to see the film in such large numbers. “We set out to make a film that could play to a wide audience and it’s very heartening to feel that has been achieved. With ten IFTA nominations and opening number One, it’s been a great week.”
According to producer Rob Walpole, “It’s brilliant to see audiences flocking to see the film in such numbers, this is further proof that there is a real audience out there for Irish films.”
Minister John O’Donoghue T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism also expressed his delight at this achievement stating “Congratulations to all at Treasure Entertainment on the magnificent performance of “MAN ABOUT DOG” opening Number 1 at the box office in Ireland. A tremendous result proving that local films can compete with and beat large Hollywood and international releases. This proves that Ireland has a vibrant and talented film community who are succeeding in the marketplace. The Irish Film Board’s and Section 481’s ongoing support for local content is essential in continuing the production of such exciting films which strike a chord with home and international audiences.”
"Talent will out and therefore the Irish Film Board warmly congratulates Paddy, Rob, Pearse and everybody at Treasure Entertainment on making a chart topper, and Brendan and Trish at BVI Ireland whose unwavering support for Irish film makes such success possible," said Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board CEO Mark Woods. “INTERMISSION was the last Irish Film Board-backed film to hit the Number 1 spot and 2004 has been an outstanding year for Irish film” the Irish Film Board added.
This performance puts MAN ABOUT DOG in an exclusive club of Irish movies which have opened at Number One. Other films to achieve this bench mark include Joel Schumacher’s VERONICA GUERIN and Oscar-nominated IN AMERICA. Treasure’s own I WENT DOWN knocked THE FULL MONTY off the top spot in its first week of opening in 1999.
MAN ABOUT DOG has been nominated for Ten Irish Film & Television Awards including: Best Irish Film; Best Film Director (Paddy Breathnach); Best Editing (Dermot Diskin); Best Cinematography (Cian de Buitlear); Best Production Design (Paki Smith); Best Hair / Makeup (Linda Mooney); Best Costume Design (Lorna Marie Mugan); Best Script (Pearse Elliott); Best Supporting Actor in Film/TV (Ciarán Nolan) and Best New Talent (Pearse Elliott). For further information please see www.iftn.ie/awards.
This raw, rambunctious and irreverent action comedy is in Cinemas Now. Cert: 15PG. Running Time: 87 mins.