DCU graduate John McKeown will premiere his feature film debut ‘Six Semesters’ on Monday, 21 April, in Dublin’s Sugar Club, after which it will screen in Dublin City University (DCU) from the 22 - 24 April at 7.30pm.
McKeown, a recent graduate from DCU’s BA in Communications, began production on ‘Six Semesters’ while in his final year at college, with the film taking two years to complete. With the majority of ‘Six Semesters’ cast and crew in their final year of study in DCU during the film’s production, the film was shot on location at the DCU campus.
The low-budget film, produced by Jessica Duggan and Eoin O’Callaghan, is a romantic comedy set over three years of college life. The story centres on student Eddie (Dallan McCormick) and his unusual part-time job - breaking up couples. Eddie’s suspicious view of love and romance takes an interesting turn when Ailbhe (Marie-Claire Hoey), a girl he meets on the very first day of college, begins to feature heavily in his complicated life.
“Being in that editing room and watching as it all come together was a huge thrill,” said Mc Keown. “But, to be honest, the biggest thrill will come when people not connected with the film in any way go to see it - I think that's where the real buzz lies - people treating it as a proper movie, because I think it deserves that. The more people who see it, the more experience we get and the more we've learned from the whole process.”
‘Six Semesters’ will screen at The Sugar Club, Leeson Street at 8.00pm on Monday 21st April to an invited audience and screen in Lecture Hall HG 23 in the Nursing Building, DCU on 22nd, 23rd and 24th April at 7.30pm. Admission to DCU screenings is free.
