Irish talent including Amy Huberman (The Clinic), Marcella Plunkett (Swansong: Story of Occi Byrne) and Tom Hickey (My Left Foot) have joined Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Stephen Rea (Ondine) and several other Irish crew members on the set of Norway’s Paradox Films and Ireland’s Newgrange Pictues’ co-production, ‘Stella Days’. The Tipperary-based shoot started on November 7th.
Directed by IFTA winning Irish director Thaddeus O’Sullivan (Into the Storm, December Bride), the Norwegian/ Irish co-production will see Martin Sheen play parish priest, Daniel Barry, whose love for the cinema leads him on a path to help set up a local cinema in the town. Daniel comes up against opposition from doubtful local parishioners who question his faith and the Bishop Hegarty, played by Tom Hickey, who is more interested in raising funds for a new church. Marcella Plunkett plays the lead female role in the film, that of Molly, whilst Amy Huberman plays her sister, Eileen – local women who become involved with Daniel’s mission.
The film is written by Antoine O’Flathartha. The Irish cast members will be joined by British actor, Trystan Gravelle (A Way of Life). The director of photography on board is John Christian Rosenlund (Factotum) who will shoot the project on RED. The feature's production designer is IFTA winner, Anna Rackard (Ondine), the art director is Aeveen Fleming (The Runway) whilst the film’s costume designer is Judith Williams (In America). Hair and Make-Up for the feature is being overseen by Eileen Buggy (This Must be the Place) and Joni Galvin (Dorothy Mills) respectively.
‘Stella Days’ will shoot until the 11th of December at which point post production will commence in Dublin’s Screen Scene which will be carried out by Dermot Diskin (Kings). The film is due to be completed in April 2011 with distribution details TBC.
’Stella Days’ is being produced by Jackie Larkin (Kings), Lesley McKimm (Happy Ever Afters) and Maggie Pope (No Tears). The feature’s co-producer is Stein Kvae (Troubled Water). Budget information is not available but €600,000 has been awarded by the Irish Film Board and other funding bodies involved include BAI, RTÉ, Section 481 and the Norwegian Film Institute.
