The Ghost of Richard Harris to receive World Premiere at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival
Posted: 26th July 2022
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is proud to congratulate Adrian Sibley and the creative team behind The Ghost of Richard Harris on its selection for the Venice International Film Festival 2022. The film will screen as part of the Venice Classics strand of the festival, which highlights recent restorations of classic films as well as documentaries about cinema and authors.
Produced by Bright Yellow Films, Samson Films and Groove International, the feature documentary is about the story of a legendary Irishman, one of Ireland's greatest Hollywood stars. Using previously uncovered footage and audio as well as interviews from family and close friends, the film builds a new picture of an extraordinary man through the places and people that were dear to him. The release of the film coincides with the 20th anniversary of the actor. Adrian Sibley had met Harris before his passing through his son Damian. Since then, his sons had been approached multiple times by documentary makers, but turned them down as Sibley was the one their father had selected to tell his tale.
Using unseen family footage shot by Richard himself from the family's archive, recently discovered Super 8 footage from his childhood, audio from interviews Richard gave over the years including selected extracts from Joe Jackson's interviews, the film builds a new picture of a fascinating man. The film also explores Harris through the eyes of his sons, and close friends, including Russell Crowe, Stephen Rea, Jimmy Webb and Vanessa Redgrave.
The documentary is financed by Screen Ireland alongside Groove International and Sky Arts. Executive producers are Celine Haddad for Screen Ireland, alongside David Blake-Knox, Mike Downey, Philip Edgar-Jones and Jack Oliver. Earlier this year, Abacus Media Rights had acquired the documentary for worldwide distribution. It is set to air in the U.K. on Sky Arts and streaming service NOW later this year.
About the Venice Film Festival
La Biennale di Venezia dates back from 1895, and celebrated throughout the history many festivals highlighting excellence in arts, music, cinema, dance, theatre and architecture. The Venice Film Festival is the oldest in the world and holds this year its 79th edition from 31st August to 10th September at Venice Lido. The full programme was unveiled this morning 26th July and can be found here.