Film Fest: Friday 28, Film Showcase Special, 8pm - 11pm. Adm. €10

Professor Luke Gibbons introduces two major Irish films on the themes of emigration/immigration. This session is followed by a discussion on the films.

Hard Road To Klondyke
Dir Desmond Bell, Northern Ireland, 55 mins, 1999

Based on his autobiography, originally written in Irish, this is the story of Mici MacGowan. From his birth in Donegal in 1865 this TV documentary traces MacGowan’s life as a migrant worker and exile in America. Narrated by Stephen Rea, the story is centered round his excruciating journey in the worst of weather and dangerous company to Klondyke in Canada to strike gold.

Black Day at Black Rock
Dir Gerry Stembridge, Ireland, 57 mins, 2001
Don Wycherly, Julie Hale, Tom Hickey, Pauline McLynn, Jasmine Russell, Anna Manahan

The inhabitants of Black Rock learn that the government intends to place thirty asylum seekers into their village. Starring Cavan’s Tom Hickey as the vagabond ‘Billy’ alongside Pauline McLynn and Don Wycherley, this is a hilarious yet serious exploration of immigration, racism and activism in rural Ireland.

Film Fest: Saturday 29, Workshops in Film

Screenwriting with Tom Hall
1.30pm – 2.30pm
Ramor Theatre, Virginia
Limited places
Adm: €10

Best known for his work on Bachelors Walk, Tom is also an award-winning writer of fiction, a critic, columnist and one time screen editor of The Dubliner magazine. His screenwriting credits include November Afternoon, Park, Just in Time, Touch On. This workshop in scriptwriting will focus on … and is most suited to emerging writers for screen.

Filmmaking with Vinny Murphy
3.00pm – 5.00pm
Ramor Theatre, Virginia
Limited places
Adm: €10

A Director, Writer, Actor and Composer for Film, Television and Theatre, Vinny directed and co-wrote the feature film Accelerator, which won several awards internationally and earned him the U.I.P. Best Director prize. He has directed nine short fiction films (five of which he also wrote), and has acted in more than forty films and television programs. Vinny has composed music for several films, the latest being the feature Bitterness.

Film Fest: Saturday 29 Saturday Night Movie, 8pm - 11.15pm. Adm: €10

IRISH SHORT FILM

The Sound of People
Dir Simon Fitzmaurice, Ireland, 6 mins, 2007
Starring: Martin McCann, Jayne Stynes, Kevin O’Dwyer

The story of a moment in the life of an eighteen year old boy, standing on the brink of his life and death. Produced by Noreen Donohoe, Killeshandra, Co. Cavan.

FEATURE FILM

Director Jim Sheridan introduces his film…

In America
Dir Jim Sheridan, UK, 105 mins 2002. (PG/13)
Starring: Paddy Considine, Samantha Morton, Sarah Bolger, Emma Bolger

Following the tragic death of their son Frankie, an Irish couple and their two daughters move to New York seeking a new life. The father, Johnny is an aspiring actor who has dreams of making it in the New York theatre circuit The family set up home in what people in Hells Kitchen call The Junkie Building and they come to know their neighbour, Mateo who often behaves strangely but helps the family through tough times in the most remarkable ways.

Film Fest: Sunday 30 Lunchtime Premiére 1.15pm - 2.00pm Adm: Free

Súile Cara
Dir Kevin McCann, Ireland, 30 mins, 2007

Introduction by the Director, Kevin McCann

This non-verbal documentary is inspired by Ron Fricke's film 'Baraka'(1992). 'Súile Cara' translates from Irish as 'The Eyes of a Friend'. Observing moments of life over the period of a year the entire film was shot in County Cavan. It is funded by the Department of the Environments Per Cent for Arts Scheme.

Film Fest: Sunday 30 Matinee 2.00pm – 4.30pm Adm: €6

IRISH SHORT FILM

Teeth
Dir John Kennedy and Ruairi O’Brien, Ireland, 2 mins, 2007

Produced by Noreen Donohoe, Killeshandra, Co. Cavan, this is a short “last laugh” tale of two old friends, their teeth and a series of events that leaves them lost for words. There is no dialogue in this short comedy which has screened at host of major international festivals including the prestigious ‘Message to Man Film Festival’, St. Petersburg, Russia.

FEATURE FILM

My Left Foot
Dir Jim Sheridan, UK, 103 mins, 1989
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Christy Brown, Brenda Fricker, Cyril Cusack, Fiona Shaw, Ray McAnally

Introductory talk by author, Shane Connaughton

This classic film is the story of Christy Brown, painter, poet and author, who was born with crippling cerebral palsy. Christy was brought up a poor, Irish working class family and for the first ten years of his life everybody believed him mentally retarded. However, his mother discovers Christy’s ability when he begins to communicate with the family, and eventually the world using his only functional limb; his left foot.

Film Fest: Sunday 30 Evening Feature Film 8.00pm – 10.00pm

IRISH SHORT

Wheels
Dir Cathal Black, Ireland, 27 mins, 1976
Starring: Paul Bennett, Alec Doran, Michael Duffy, Brendan Ellis, Tom Jordan, Maura Keeley.

Adapted from a short story by John McGahern, Wheels tells the story of a farmer’s son who makes an unsuccessful attempt to return to his home in the midlands from the city.

FEATURE FILM

Korea
Dir Cathal Black, Ireland, 90 mins, 1995
Starring: Donal Donnelly, Andrew Scott, Fiona Molony, Vass Anderson,
Eileen Ward

Shot in Bawnboy, Co. Cavan, this is a powerful story of the relationship between father and son, John and Eamon Doyle. Based on a short story by John McGahern, it is set in the 50's, a period of mass emigration and social change. Young Irish emigrants, on arriving in America, have been enlisted and sent to fight in the Korean war. A contemporary Romeo and Juliet story unfolds amidst rumours, vengeance, and a very original twist which combined with the subtlety of the performances and the superb camerawork.

Film Fest: Tuesday 2nd October, 8pm. Adm: €6 non-members

Middletown
Dir Brian Kirk, UK/Ireland, 90 mins, 2006
Starring: Matthew Macfadyen, Daniel Mays, Eva Birthistle, Gerald McSorley, Mick Lally

An explosive and gripping thriller about the ambition and betrayal that threatens to tear one family apart forever, engulfing Middletown in a battle with fatal consequences. A preacher returns to Middletown, the place of his birth and childhood memories, after a long absence, only to find that things are not as they used to be. Middletown develops into a life or death struggle, and in a powerful and emotional climax, it threatens to destroy everything that each stands for.

Autumn 2007 Film Season

Ramor Theatre
Virginia
Co. Cavan
For information call the Arts Office T: 049 4378548

ALL FILMS START AT 8pm sharp
€6 per film for non-members; €40 for Season Ticket
Socials in the Whistle Stop Bar, Virginia after films

AUTUMN MESSAGE
The Autumn Seasons offerings include films related to the festival theme of emigration/immigration, powerful films such as I Could Read the Sky and Middletown. Beyond the festival we've scheduled some terrific cultural cinema entirely unrelated to the theme! The films this season can be described as an exploration of the human condition. Films such as Man Push Kart, Keane and Requiem all achieve thought-inspiring insights into the human heart and mind. London to Brighton, This is England and La Tourneuse des Pages are mesmerising renditions of the environmental conditions and bizarre journey's that lead to human 'success' and 'failure'.

A word of thanks to all loyal film-goers who have helped to sustain the film club over the last three years. We're always looking for a helping hand, so don't be shy in purchasing a season ticket or offering your help to members of the commitee! The festival is also an attempt to bring additional momentum to the club. Please check screening dates and stick with us through the unavoidable breaks in the seasons screenings. This season has some truely awe inspiring films for all of us to see! We look forward to seeing you there!

Film@Ramor

18 September 2007

The Page Turner, La Tourneuse des Pages
Dir Denis Dercourt, France, 85 mins, 2006, CLUB
Starring: Catherine Frot, Deborah Francois, Pascal Greggory, Julie Richalet

A brilliantly made and emotionally taught thriller, which centres on a thwarted young pianist, Melanie. Distracted into failing exams she gives up piano, until an encounter with a famed pianist changes the course of her life. A compelling and subtle rendition of the cloistered world of chamber music.

25 September 2007

I Could Read the Sky

(See Ramor Film Festival Programme for synopsis of film)

2 October 2007

Middletown

(see Ramor Film Festival programme)

9 October 2007

Keane
Dir Lodge Kerrigan, USA, 90 mins, 2004, CLUB
Starring: Damian Lewis, Abigail Breslin, Amy Ryan

Lewis gives an outstanding performance as William Keane, a borderline-homeless guy who hangs around the bus station, bothering people, incessantly talking to himself, and gazing about him with the quick, paranoid glances of a wounded animal. The story he tells is as tragic as it is gripping, but is it real or is he becoming dilusional? Either way, this is a human story, brilliantly told through film.

30 October 2007

This is England
Dir Shane Meadows, UK, 100 mins, 2006, 18
Starring: Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham, Jo Hartley, Andrew Shim, Vicky McClure.

Roland Rat, Margaret Thatcher; Rubik’s Cubes, skinheads… It’s the summer of 1983. Shaun is 12 and a bit of a loner, growing up with his mum in a grim coastal town, his dad killed fighting in the Falklands War. Handling the complexities of masculinity, violence and race with sensitivity and a lightness of touch, it’s hard to imagine a film that would better capture the mood of the time, or that could have any greater an understanding of the allure of being part of a gang.

6 November 2007

Man Push Cart
Dir Ramin Bahrani USA/Iran, 87 mins, 2005 CLUB
Starring: Ahmad Razvi, Leticia Dolera, Charles Daniel Sandoval, Ali Reza, Farooq 'Duke' Muhammad, Panicker Upendran, Arun Lal, Razia Mujahid

A beautifully crafted character study that captures the textures of a very specific New York experience. Through Ahmad's relationships, and his estranged family, we come to understand that he is haunted by a tragedy in his past. This is a subtle, insightful portrait of a man struggling with issues of identity, self-worth, and the harsh realities of finding a place to belong in a vast, often-unfriendly American metropolis.

13 November 2007

Requiem
Hans-Christian Schmid, Germany, 93 mins, 2006, CLUB
Starring: Sandra Hüller, Burghart Klaussner, Imogen Kogge, Anna Blomeier, Nicholas Reinke, Jens Harzer

Alternately shocking and meditative, this exceptional film concerns a young woman in the thrall of religious ecstasy and the failed exorcism that ultimately kills her. Rejecting medical solutions out of some inner fear, she ultimately turns to a young, crusading priest. As he spins an increasingly dubious and demonic narrative about her condition, the film takes a more sinister and conspiratorial turn.

27 November 2007

London to Brighton

Dir Paul Andrew Williams, UK, 85 mins, 2006,16
Starring: Lorraine Stanley, Georgia Groome, Johnny Harris, Alexander Morton

The title refers to a train journey to escape horrific consequences of events. Kelly's pimp, Derek, has assigned her to locate an underage girl for a sinister paedophile gangster, and she finds easy prey in Joanne, a runaway from a violent father. This lean, taut thriller is as bleak as its essential honesty demands, but not entirely without hope.


Please note: programme subject to change