BBC Two Northern Ireland is celebrating filmmaking in Northern Ireland this Autumn by screening a series of films on Sunday nights from some of Northern Ireland’s finest writing, directing and producing talent.
The series kicked off last Sunday night with ‘Middletown’, and will continue over the next five weeks with ‘Titanic Town’, ‘A Man of No Importance’, ‘A Love Divided’, ‘Wild About Harry’ and ‘The Mighty Celt’.
‘Middletown’ (Sunday 19th August) comes from directing, writing and producing trio Brian Kirk, Daragh Carville and Michael Casey. Described as a modern-day western about God, man and the madness in between, ‘Middletown’ is a tale of ambition and betrayal threatening to tear one family apart forever.
‘Titanic Town’ (Sunday 26th August) is a black comedy-drama starring Julie Walters as a housewife who becomes spokeswoman for the fledgling peace movement and the pawn of two entrenched traditions. The film also stars Ciarán Hinds, Nuala O’Neill and Ciarán McMenamin.
‘A Man of No Importance’ (Sunday 2nd September), written by Tyrone native Barry Devlin, stars Albert Finney as an ordinary man struggling with temptation, friendship, disapproval and the conservative world of 1960’s Ireland. Also starring Brenda Fricker, Michael Gambon, Rufus Sewell and Tara Fitzgerald.
‘A Love Divided’ (Sunday 9th September) stars Orla Brady and Liam Cunningham as a married couple torn apart in a Catholic and Protestant 1950’s Ireland.
‘Wild About Harry’ (Sunday 16th September) follows middle-aged Belfast television presenter Harry McKee, played by Brendan Gleeson, as his work and marriage fall apart. Written by Bangor born Colin Bateman and co-starring Amanda Donohue and Adrian Dunbar.
‘The Mighty Celt’ (Sunday 23rd September)
Belfast writer/director Pears Elliott brings viewers this coming-of-age story starring Robert Carlyle, Gillian Anderson, Ken Scott and newcomer Tyrone McKenna.
Northern Ireland Screen, established in 1997, aims to accelerate the development of a dynamic, sustainable film and television industry in Northern Ireland by integrating industrial educational and cultural policies and actions. It is primarily funded by Invest Northern Ireland, Department of Culture Arts and Leisure and the UK Film Council and is delegated by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to administer Lottery funding for film in Northern Ireland.
