Irish Premieres Conspiracy of Silence and Spin the Bottle to make their mark
at the 15th Galway Film Fleadh.
John Deeryıs controversial drama Conspiracy of Silence will be the opening
film at the 15th Galway Film Fleadh on Tuesday 8th July. Having generated a
hugely positive response at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy earlier this
month while simultaneously causing a stir the Vatican, Deeryıs film is sure
to be a highlight of this yearıs festival programme.
Inspired by real events, Conspiracy of Silence sensitively examines issues
of celibacy and AIDS within the priesthood. It was a labour of love for
writer and director John Deery, and having redrafted the script 23 times he
finally raised production finance for the project in the UK. The film
features a strong ensemble cast including Jason Barry, Hugh Bonneville,
Patrick Casey, Brenda Fricker, and Catherine Walker as well as Jonathan
Forbes, Sean McGinley, Jim Norton, John Lynch and Gay Byrne who, along with
John Deery, will be in Galway for the premiere.
At a press conference in Taormina, Deery said "As things are at the moment,
the church is in a time warp and young people, particularly, feel
disenfranchised." As the headlining film of this yearıs Galway Film Fleadh,
Conspiracy of Silence is bound to generate further debate about the current
state of the Catholic Church in modern Ireland.
Bringing the weekıs festivities to a close on Sunday 13th July will be Spin
the Bottle an irreverent, witty and unique comedy from the team who
created Paths To Freedom and Fergusıs Wedding. Directed by Ian Fitzgibbon,
the film follows the exploits of Ratsı, played by Michael McElhatton, as he
tries to raise the money to send his obese aunt to Lourdes. He is joined in
this hapless adventure by Tommoı, played by Peter McDonald and Bronagh
Gallagher as Ratsı girlfirend.
Spin the Bottle is also a fitting tribute to one of Irelandıs best loved
actresses of the stage and screen, the late Pat Leavy, who played Rats'
mother in the film. Other supporting roles are played by Donal O'Kelly,
Simon Delaney of Bachelor's Walk fame, as well as Gerry Ryan, Louis Walsh
and Samantha Mumba. Spin the Bottle will be released in Ireland in November
but Fleadh audiences will get the chance to see its Irish premiere as the
closing film of the 15th Galway Film Fleadh.
Further information on the Fleadh programme is available from our website at
www.galwayfilmfleadh.com
