‘Stealing Beauty’, a documentary film produced by Independent Pictures airs on Tuesday January 18, 10.15pm on RTE ONE as part of the Arts Lives series.
‘Stealing Beauty’ tells the story of the Beit collection since its arrival in Ireland over 50 years ago. It is a story that links high art to revolutionary politics and bloody murder. These masterpieces have attracted the attentions of the IRA, the UVF, the FBI, Interpol, Scotland Yard and the most notorious criminal in Irish history. They have been stolen not once but four times and are probably better known for their absence than their presence. The film is directed by Ruth Meehan.
Independent Pictures are having a busy start to 2005. Later in the same week the IFTA winning ‘Show Me The Money’ continues its new run. This year the factual entertainment series has been extended from 8 programmes to 12. The first episode aired on January 6, securing a huge 41% share and an audience of 540,000. The second episode attracted over 550,000 and repeated the 41% share. Show Me The Money airs at 8.30 pm. Thursday nights on RTE ONE. The programme is presented by Eddie Hobbs and produced by Rachel Moriarty.
IFTA nominated ‘Ear To The Ground’, now in its twelfth year on air, also transmits on Thursday night with the latest episode achieving a share of 34%. Helen Carroll has seamlessly replaced former presenter and now MEP, Mairead McGuinness. She shares presenting duties with Ronan Clarke and Darragh McCullough. The Series Producer is Sarah Barrow.
A number of other series and documentaries are also in production including Series IV of ‘An Tuath Nua’ a 26 x 25’ series produced for RTE & TG4. An Tuath Nua airs on Friday nights at 8pm. Series IV of food and travel programme ‘Bia’s Bothar’, produced for RTE & TG4, airs on Thursday nights. The Series Producer of both series is Liam Lavelle.
In February Director Liam McGrath and Producer Nicola O Callaghan begin pre production on ‘Mission Improbable’, a documentary for BBC NI focusing on the work of The Church Of The Latter Day Saints. In 2004 Independent Pictures produced the documentary ‘The Last Lap’ for the same broadcaster which won an ESB National Media Award. The Last Lap was directed by Karen McGrath. Also in February Independent Pictures will go into pre production on another one hour documentary film, ‘Oriel, The Atlantis of Ireland’. This will be produced and directed by Moira Sweeney.
Independent Pictures is an Agtel Company.
