Cork filmmaker and screenwriter Gerard Hurley (The Pride) has decided to release his feature film ‘The Pier’ himself for a limited run in cinemas around the country.
Speaking about his reasons for self release Hurley told IFTN, "I initially contacted some distributors in Ireland and they just didn't get back to me at all. I suppose it's understandable for them because ultimately to them film is a business and to me it's a passion. They have a formula and my film does not fit into their formula, but my formula is tell a good story that makes people think, engages and moves them and above all else keeps its honesty, because if a story comes from the heart it reaches the heart. I found ten cinemas that think like I do. As an artist I've paid my dues the hard and long way, my voice deserves to be heard by people not judged by marketing people and accountants. That is why I am self distributing my film."
‘The Pier’ is Hurley’s second feature and tells the story of Jack McCarthy played by Hurley (The Weapons of Death, The Pride) who returns home from America to see his father Larry McCarthy, played by Karl Johnson (Lark Rise to Candleford, The Illusionist), on his death bed. On returning home Jack is furious to discover that his father is alive and well and has tricked him into returning home. Father and son are then entangled in a painful battle of wills. Jack’s only relief is in the company of an attractive American tourist played by Lili Taylor (Public Enemies, High Fidelity).
It was filmed in New York and West Cork in areas like Goleen, Ballydehob, Dunmanus, Schull, Skibbereen, Castletownsend, Castlehaven, Tragnmna and Bandy. ‘the Pier’ had its world premiere last year at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and has been screened around the world as far as Israel and Georgia and in Ireland at the Cork and Galway film festivals. It will now be on limited release in Irish cinemas starting with the IFI in Dublin on Sunday 29th January.
The film was micro budget and produced by Black Equus Films with support from the Irish Film Board. It was written, directed and produced by Gerard Hurley. Executive producer for the project was Jim Stark (Zenith, Here and There). DOP on the project was Jesse Cain (The Observers, Two Birds) who shot it in HD. It was edited by Frank Reid (Between The Canals, Jonny Boy). Music for the feature was provided by Maurice Seezer (Get Rich, Die Trying, In America). Art director for the film was Antonia Spamatie (The Pier) and Emer Nagle was the costume designer.
For information on screenings of ‘The Pier’ around the country and for tickets you can visit www.thepierfilm.com
