It's March again and with America taking its traditional glance towards Ireland Gary Quinn assesses the line-up at the months two most notable festivals, the New York Film Fleadh and the Seattle Irish Reels.
With the now infamous 'lull' in last year's production levels finally over for Irish producers, its effects are still being felt by festival programmers - especially those who take the time to programme Irish only events.
Starting with the East coast, the New York Film Fleadh is gearing up for their second year at the helm of Irish film in the US. In New York they admit to be still recovering from their launch night three weeks ago "It was a horrible snowy night which made attendance low but Liam Neeson came to lend support and raise our profile," explained Beth Lauren from the Fleadhs press office. It is this kind of high profile support which has given the New York Film Fleadh much needed media attention to put it on the festival circuit map.
A new festival faces obvious difficulties when trying to put together the strongest programme possible, "There seemed to be a bit of resistance on the part of one or two filmmakers to show at the Fleadh (and they know who they are)," explained Beth Lauren with good humour, she continued by explaining that some filmmakers felt that as its profile was new they didn't see it as an important enough festival to show at. "This is obviously counter-productive to the aims of the festival. I would hope that Irish filmmakers would see the festival as a much needed opportunity to get their work seen by the general public - and the NYC public is a movie going public - as well as important industry people in New York."
A new addition to the line-up this year is a screenplay competition with a very novel approach to showcasing the winner. Liam Cunningham and Orla Brady who will both attend the festival to coincide with A Love Divided in the festival programme, will give a rehearsed reading of the winning script along with actors from New York City's prestigious Irish Repertory Theatre. Although well known at home, Cunningham and Brady's work is less well known in the States and it is hoped that their participation at the festival will add to their presence in New York while also bringing an important interaction between the film and its audience.
A Love Divided will feature alongside Tom Collins Bogwoman, set in 1960's Derry and Exiled, a contemporary tale detailing the experiences of young Irish immigrants in the US. A clear highlight will be Dan McCormick's Other Voices. Billed as 'a special film experience', it screened most recently at the Sundance Film Festival. Written and directed by Dan McCormick and starring Peter Gallagher who is also a Fleadh board member it, "mirrors the sensibilities and fears that we are all experiencing in this new millennium."
By the time the Film Fleadh gets under full steam next weekend, the Seattle festival will have begun to wind down. Although they are similarly themed, the lack of new home production made it difficult for both festivals programmes. Their identities, like those of the cities in which they reside, definitely have a different vibe. Seattles Irish Reels opens on Tuesday 7th with Sunburn, which is also on the programme in New York. Marking a US premiere in Seattle, the Nelson Hume directed feature looks at the Irish American immigrant experience through the eyes of a group of students on a summer employment program in Long Island. Sandwiching their features with a selection of shorts, the opening night at the Irish Reels also offers Orla Walsh's Blessed Fruit and Barry Dignam's 8 minute Dream Kitchen.
One Mans Hero, directed by Lance Hool tells the story of Los San Patricios, the St. Patricks Battalion, a group of Irish soldiers who deserted the US army and fought for Mexico in the war of 1846. Themed with Kevin Liddys 30 minute short, Soldier Song it is the second of only three features showing in Seattle. The third, Liam O'Mochain's The Book that Wrote Itself will feature the director in a post-screening discussion. Most notable for its host of cameo appearances by international stars it won the Best Feature Film and the Critics Prize at the Austin Film Festival.
Both cities will have the opportunity to view Sinead O'Briens remarkable documentary, Luke. Detailing the life of Luke Kelly of the Dubliners, it gives a fascinating account of his life and career. In Seattle it will be shown alongside Audrey O'Reilly's short, In Loving Memory and Kirsten Sheridan's 23 minute, The Case of Majella McGinty.
Both festivals have strong shorts programmes, highlighting a central factor in Irish filmmaking - that shorts currently define new Irish film. The new names and faces coming through in the shorts section in both festivals are clearly leading the way in Irish production. New filmmakers are emerging who, in one or two years time, will undoubtedly lead the features pack at these same festivals. Only then will we be able to measure the impact that Irish American festivals such as these can have and whether or not it was worth taking the time to show there. The chances are the answer will be a resounding yes.
The New York Film Fleadh will run from Thursday 9th March - Sunday 12th at the Clearview Cinemas Waverly Theatre, 323 Sixth Avenue at Waverly Place. Winners will receive in-kind awards from Kodak and East Coast Post. For schedule and ticket information visit www.filmfleadh.com
The Seattle Irish Reels 2000 runs from Tuesday 7th March - Saturday 11th March at the Seattle Art Museum and the 911 Media Arts Center. For further information visit www.911media.org/events/irishreels
