'Mad About Mambo' has been shooting in Dublin since May 27th. Written and directed by John Forte with Martin Bruce-Clayton as Executive Producer and David Kelly as Producer , the film is described as being "about football, South American dancing, lads and love".
Dublin's Sheriff Street is again doubling as Belfast's Falls Road for this picture. 'Mad About Mambo' is about Danny Mitchell and his mates who are in their last year at a Belfast School. Mickey, played by Paul McClean, wants to be a fashion designer, so he can get to meet loads of models. Gary, played by Russel Smith, wants to be a magician for more or less the same reason. Spike, played by Joe Rae, has decided he wants to be a mercenary, so he can go around the world, killing people for money. Danny, played by William Ash, wants to learn to dance, in particular he wants to learn the Mambo, because as far as Danny is concerned it is the rythm and complicated movements that make South American Football players so great, and you need to be able to move swiftly and gracefully around a football pitch. He decides if he can learn to dance like a Brazilian then he will play football like a Brazilian. So he goes to dance classes and meets Lucy who is played by American actress Keri Russell, the love interest, and the plot develops from there.
All was not sweetness and light between the unions and producers on the shoot, according to Film Ireland. An emergency meeting was called of the SIPTU membership during the shoot over a freelancer's complaint regarding crewing. The producers have refused to comment but according to Pat Keenan, quoted in Film Ireland, the matter was "well debated" with "serious concerns being expressed" at the meeting. The dispute has been refered to a Rights Commissioner.
Mike Medavoy's Phoenix Pictures struck a deal with PolyGram Filmed Entertainment to back Mad About Mambo to the tune of US$6 million. The film is being produced by UK-based First City Features (Martin Bruce-Clayton and David Kelly) and Plurabelle Films, the production company founded by Gabriel Byrne. Development funds for the film have come from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's Lottery Fund, British Screen and the Irish Film Board. 'Mad About Mambo' will be distributed by Gramercy Pictures in the US and internationally by Polygram Filmed Entertainment.
Michael Mc Mahon 22/7/98
