'The Last Storyteller?', the film celebrating the work of folklore collector Seán Ó
hEochaidh, will be screened as part of
the New Territories category at the festival on the 30th
and 31st August.
'The Last Storyteller?' was co-produced by
Derry based Besom Productions and Edinburgh based Asylum
Pictures and was directed by Desmond Bell who is originally from Derry. The project was jointly funded by RTÉ, TG4, with the assistance of Bord Scannán na hÉireann /The
Irish Film Board and supported by The National Lottery
through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Director
Desmond Bell has already drawn upon Seán Ó hEochaidh's
vast experience of folklore in the making of his award
winning film for RTÉ - 'Rotha Mór an Tsaoil.'
RTÉ Head of Television Production, Clare Duignan, said
`After Rotha Mór an Tsaoil we suggested a full programme
on the life of Seán Ó hEochaidh to Desmond Bell. We
funded the development of the project and we are
delighted that we were joined by TG4, Bórd Scannán na
hÉireann and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland in the
making of this fine documentary. Its selection for
screening at the Venice Film Festival is an enormous
honour and RTÉ congratulates Des Bell, producer Margo
Harkin and all associated with the production.
Margo Harkin of Besom said `We are all naturally over the moon
that our work is being recognised by such a highly
competitive festival. It will now automatically be seen
by thousands of people from all over the world and
Seán's life and work will be recognised far beyond his
native Teelin. He would have been delighted. We are
very grateful to all who gave us funding and who stood
by us in the making of this unusual film."
'The Last Storyteller?':
A film about fairies, folklore and Storyteller based on
the work of Folklore Collector Seán Ó hEochaidh who died
in January 2002.
Main Programme Credits
Voiceover: Stephen Rea
Sound Design: Gerald Mair
Online Editor & Colourist: Andy McGregor
Executive Producer for RTÉ Ray McCarthy
Executive Producer for Bord Scannán na hÉireann/Irish
Film Board: Rod Stoneman
Executive Producer for TG4: Micheál Ó Meallaigh
Co Producer: Paul Kenny
Editor: Roger Buck
Producer: Margo Harkin
Written and Directed by Desmond Bell
An Asylum Pictures / Besom Productions co-production
for RTÉ in association with TG4 and Bord Scannán na
hÉireann/Irish Film Board supported by the National
Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland
Contact: Besom Production, e-mail: margo@besomproductions.co.uk
Desmond Bell of Asylum Pictures, email:d.bell@napier.ac.uk