Irish in Focus

Martin Sheen in 'Stella Days'

This year, you don't have to wait until Saint Patrick's Day to celebrate the Irish culture. From Sept. 14-16, Irish Network New Orleans will be hosting the first annual Irish Film Festival at the historic Prytania Theatre. Come see a couple classics and many films that haven't previously screened here in New Orleans.

The festival will run the course of two days and three nights, opening Friday night with Quiet Man starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. This will be the first showing of the film on the silver screen in NOLA for 50 years. Following the Oscar-winning 1952 classic will be a gala celebration with the essentials: beer, whiskey, and hors d'oeuvres from local business' like The Irish House and St. James Cheese Company. If you plan on attending the opening night gala, make sure to look spiffy as the dress code is Black Tie optional for men and cocktail attire for women.

Irish Film Festival Schedule

Friday (Sept. 14)
7pm - Opening Night Gala - The Quiet Man

Saturday (Sept. 15)
12pm - Secret of Kells(2009) - family night $5
2pm - Festival of Irish Shorts
4pm - His & Hers (2009)
6pm - Nothing Personal (2009)
8pm - Stella Days (2011)

Sunday (Sept. 16)
12:30pm - Come on Over (1922) - accompanied by live piano
2pm - 32A (2007)
4pm - Kisses (2008)
6pm - The Pier (2011)
8pm - Pilgrim Hill (2012)

NOLA Defender spoke with festival director, Robert Bell, about how the event was put together, behind the scenes. It certainly wasn't easy - involving over a year of planning and even the Irish government's help. Ever since the New Orleans film industry began to thrive, Bell and his associates have been working on a way to showcase Irish film.

"That's the reason I think we have a lot of support from the Irish Government, The Irish Film Institute helped us put this together and also the Irish Film Board," he said. "When I was over in Ireland I met with the Minister of the Arts, Jimmy Deenihan and one of the reasons he's very supportive of the film festival here in New Orleans is because of the way the film industry has grown here. So we see it as operating synergistically as New Orleans becomes more of a film destination"

Bell divulged to NOLA Defender, "There's talk in the works right now for another major Irish production that could be taking place in New Orleans sometime soon"

Most of the movies playing at the festival are new to the city and genres range from silent films, to documentaries, to modern dramas. Not only have many of the films never been screened here, most of them are independently produced. When NOLA Defender asked Bell, about the indie presence, he told us filmmakers on the Emerald isle are so far from Hollywood that most take it upon themselves to produce their projects. It's after production that they seek major distributers to put their movies out into the wild for our viewing pleasure. Luckily for those involved with films at the festival, this event will definitely open up some opportunities for well-deserved recognition.

"That's really what we're trying to do, to showcase films that haven't had major distribution", Bell said. He proceeded to explain that the festival's closing film, Pilgrim Hill, won director Gerard Barrett Best New Talent at another recent film festival. The production cost a mere 4500 euros ($5809) and it still hasn't picked up a distributor.

Different from the multi-million dollar productions we see in theatres every week (often leaving viewers disappointed), the independent film is an art form in its own. It forces filmmakers to balance beauty with budget and dig down deep for creative solutions to always-present problems.

Festival film tickets will be $10 except for opening night ($40 for INNO members and $50 for general public) and the family screening, "Secret of Kells" ($5) Information and tickets can be found at www.irishnetworkneworleans.org

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