The British Council Czech Republic will present a collection of Northern Irish films to Czech audiences as part of its one-year programme
Focus on Northern Ireland. The NI Film Showcase will run from 26 – 30 September at the Prague art Cinema Aero.
The collection of films has been selected by Belfast Film Festival Programmer, Michael Besnard-Scott. The five feature films included in the selection are: Patrick Jolley’s 'Sugar', John Simpson’s 'Freeze Frame', Terry Loane’s 'Mickybo & Me', Les Blair’s 'H3' and Lab Ky Mo’s '9 Dead Gay Guys'. Short films include; 'The Linnet', 'Bye-Child', 'Flying Saucer Rock n Roll' and 'The Cat'. The Documentary strand includes; 'The Uncle Jack', 'George Best’s Body', 'Teenage Kicks: The Undertones' and 'Bata-Ville'.
"The showcase is a celebration of film-making coming from a small nation which spans documentary, features, shorts, animation as well as installation work. Many of the films I have selected are films that have stayed with me for many years, however there are also many newer films that on first viewing were a revelation," says Scott about his chosen films.
In addition, Czech audiences will be given the opportunity to view a special presentation entitled - The Spence Brothers Retrospective – where brothers Noel and Roy Spence are described as “mavericks of cinema production, architecture and collectors of memorabilia”. As part of this retrospective film such as ‘Testament of Caleb Meek’, ‘Wolves of Darkness’ and ‘Beast of Druid Hills’ will be screened. The brothers own a 1950’s Art Deco Tudor Cinema, along with the Excelsior Cinema situated outside Comber. The documentary ‘The Spence Brothers– Movie Mavericks’ was screened at Cannes Film Festival 2006 and takes a tour of the ornate cinemas, the brothers´ films and their fascinating creative world.
Focus on Northern Ireland is a one-year programme by which the British Council introduces the Northern Irish culture and art to the Czech audiences. It includes e.g. the exhibition ‘Dogs Have No Religion - Contemporary Artists from Northern Ireland’ (currently running at The Czech Museum of Fine Arts, Prague), DJ sets by David Holmes, gigs by bands like At First Light and singer Paul Casey. It follows British Council projects from the two previous years IT´S WALES and Showcasing Scotland.
www.britishcouncil.cz
