As part of the collaboration Splanc! between TG4 and the Arts Council Alan Gilsenan’s latest project, a visual film-poem on Pearse’s writings, will broadcast on TG4 on Wednesday, May 5th.
Yellow Asylum Films’ ‘Ó Pheann an Phiarsaigh’ is an hour-long dramatic montage from IFTA award-winning director Alan Gilsenan (The Yellow Bittern) that draws solely on Pearse’s own writings as it attempts to weave an artistic vision of the national icon’s life and death and reflect on this divisive, controversial figure. Extensive use is made of archive film from the Irish Film Archive, Iarsmalann an Phiarsaigh, Fáilte Ireland, Gael Linn, Bailiúchán Clarke, NASA and the U.S. Library of Congress.
For some, Pearse is a towering hero of Irish independence, a major literary figure and educational theorist but for many others he’s an out-moded totem, his character tainted by a dangerous love of blood sacrifice, a naive narcissism and unanswered questions about his sexuality and suitability as a role model.
‘Ó Pheann an Phiarsaigh’ has also received funding from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland’s Sound and Vision scheme. It was filmed, adapted and directed by Gilsenan, produced by Martin Mahon (The Importance of Being Irish) of Yellow Asylum Films, edited by Emer Reynolds (My Brothers) & Oliver Fallen (Today is Better than Two Tomorrows) and features Darach Mac Con Iomaire (Ros na Rún) and Alan Gilsenan as the voices of Pearse.
The project launched recently at the newly restored Pearse family home in Dublin by the Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, Bob Collins. At the launch, Alan Gilsenan commented, “The aim of the film was to be neither didactic nor conclusive, but to approach Patrick Pearse’s remarkable life and work solely from an artistic perspective and explore the emotional impact that he has had on our society.”
‘Ó Pheann an Phiarsaigh’ will broadcast on TG4 on Wednesday, May 5th at 9.30pm.
