Two Irish films will duke it out this weekend with three other international shorts for the Oscar Live Action Short Film honour from the American AMPAS.
Hopes will be reasonably high this weekend as Ireland’s short filmmakers have fared well in this category in recent times - nominations for Juanita Wilson’s ‘The Door’ and Steph Green’s ‘New Boy’, and Martin McDonagh’s ‘Six Shooter’ taking home the coveted statuette in 2006.
11 minute short ‘Pentecost’ is an Irish Film Board presentation in association with EMU Productions - produced by Eimear O'Kane, directed and written by Peter McDonald. The humours story follows a young Irish Liverpool fan who faces a difficult choice that may leave him at odds with his small community. Andrew Bennett plays the lead protagonist in the tale with support from Scott Graham, Michael McElhatton (Titanic Blood & Steel), Eamonn Hunt (My Brothers) and Don Wycherley (Bachelors Walk).
Crew for ‘Pentecost’ Camera, Patrick Jordan; editor John O’Connor; music John McPhillips; Costumes Belle Phipps.
Speaking recently director McDonald said "I could not be happier with the success of the film. For the piece to connect with so many people and to eventually end up with an Oscar nomination is a dream come true as a filmmaker. When you set out to make a film you are so concentrated on the craft of making the film and telling the story on every level you have no idea what kind of life it will have.”
View the trailer for ‘Pentecost’ here:
Ireland’s second nomination in the Live Action short category is ‘The Shore’, a Seamus Productions production in association with Northern Ireland Screen, Lough Shore Investments and Tourism Ireland. Produced by ‘Hotel Rwanda’ filmmaker Terry George with is daughter Oorlagh George, Terry also wrote and directed the 30 minute short. Leading cast includes Ciaran Hinds (The Debt), Conleth Hill (Perrier’s Bounty) and Kerry Condon (Luck), with the film chronicling an emotional reunion between two Northern Irish friends who’ve spent 25 years apart.
Crew for ‘The Shore’: Camera (color), Michael McDonough; editor, Joe Landauer; music, David Holmes, Foy Vance; production designer, Tom McCullagh; costume designer, Catherine George.
In his Huffington Post blog Terry George said:
“Our little film The Shore is the story of one small act of reconciliation, yet it mirrors the courageous achievement of the people of Northern Ireland, Protestant and Catholic, who after 800 years of division and bloodshed came together to talk and make their peace with one another. What they have achieved -- a functioning government where old enemies, Paisley and Adams, McGuinness and Robinson, now sit together in government -- is a shining example to the world.”
The Live Action Short Film Nominees Are:
Pentecost (Ireland)
Raju (Germany/India)
The Shore (U.K.)
Time Freak (USA)
Tuba Atlantic (Norway)
Other Irish interest at this weekend’s ceremony are: Irish make-up artist Lynn Johnston is nominated with Martial Corneville and Matthew W. Mungle for their work on the Irish feature film ‘Albert Nobbs’; the film’s stars Glenn Close and Janet McTeer compete in the acting categories. Belfast born actor Kenneth Branagh (My Week With Marilyn) is also nominated for Best supporting Actor.
