Projects in genres: Northern Irish

Synopsis

Frank McCabe is dead. His son, George, has decided to hold an open wake where people can come and pay their respects. Among these people is Jerry, Frank’s former employee, who knows a thing or two about George and Frank, which other people don’t. Jerry has been cut out of the will and is determined to use any means necessary to get back at both George and Frank.

Synopsis

An ultra-paranoid murder suspect videotapes himself around the clock so he'll have a rock-solid alibi if he's ever accused of another crime. But the one tape that could prove his innocence of a new murder mysteriously disappears and he's forced to go on the run to fabricate the evidence of the missing hours.

Synopsis

In the middle of a cold winter night, a mournful sound echoes through the darkness of the Irish countryside. Farmer Dan Reilly (John Lynch) waits as one of his cattle is about to give birth. The noise of her labour resonates through the barn. The animal’s agony weighs heavily on Dan’s mind, as he has reluctantly allowed a bio-tech corporation to run tests on his livestock in return for financial aid for his debt-ridden ranch. Camped in a nearby field are Mary (Ruth Negga) and Jamie (Sean Harris, who played Joy Division’s Ian Curtis in 24 Hour Party People and also starred in last year’s Festival selection Creep). The young couple is running away, hoping to get to London for a fresh start. After giving them a surly warning to get off his land, Dan backpedals and asks them for assistance with the troublesome birth. In the dank straw, the warm breath of new life appears on the cold air - and the group is plunged into a blind panic at the realization that something has gone horribly wrong.

Synopsis

Omagh is the true story of the families of the victims of the Omagh bomb, and their courageous and inspirational pursuit of justice.

Synopsis

Donal (Tyrone McKenna) lives with his single mother Kate (Gillian Anderson) in Belfast. To help make ends meet, he works long hours after school for the local dog trainer, Good Joe (Ken Stott). It becomes obvious that Donal has a very special way with dogs, and while Good Joe is not a man to keep his word, he strikes a deal with Donal that he can't refuse. Entering into the underground world of dog racing, he offers Donal the 'Mighty Celt' if the greyhound can win three races in a row. Meanwhile, life at home becomes more interesting when O (Robert Carlyle), an enigmatic figure from the past, reappears on the scene. O and Donal develop a friendship. However, Good Joe is deeply suspicious of O and Kate is weary of letting him back into her life. A dramatic revelation is soon made, and Donal is forced to learn the harsh realities of life.

Synopsis

The story of Michael (Steven Robertson), a 24-year-old with cerebral palsy and long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled. His life is transformed when the maverick Rory O' Shea (James McAvoy) moves in. Michael is stunned to discover that fast talking Rory, who can move only his right hand, can understand his almost unintelligible speech. Rory's dynamic and rebellious nature soon sparks a flame in Michael, introducing him to a whole new world outside Carrigmore. Together the two men outwit the system and set themselves up in a flat employing the beautiful Siobhan (Romola Garai) as their personal assistant, to cook, clean and take care of their needs. She soon becomes integral to the boys efforts at successful independent living and begins to realise that this responsibility brings as many complications as it does rewards.

Synopsis

In the summer of 1970, Belfast's lines of division were still being drawn. Two young boys from 'up the road' and 'over the bridge' escape the confines of a city overshadowed by hatred and fear by becoming their heroes, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Together they swear an oath to be blood brothers for life and flee an imploding city for the freedom of the Australian outback.

Synopsis

Butterfly is a journey from life to death and back. It is a kaleidoscope of colour, sound and movement that lies somewhere between art and entertainment, speaking eloquently and subtly of the cycle of life and the transience of the moment. Nothing lasts forever but there is always hope in beauty, form and harmony.

Synopsis

H3 is set in the H-Blocks of the Maze Prison in the North of Ireland during the period, early January 1981 up to the death of Bobby Sands on hunger strike on 5 May 1981. Seamus Scullion is the man chosen to select the names of his fellow prisoners in the H3 prison block who are ultimately prepared to die for what they believe in.

Synopsis

A couple break up briefly (the intermission of the title), sending ripples through the lives of everyone around them. Ripples that become shockwaves as a film-maker teams up with a cop for a journey into violence: a jilted wife plots revenge on her husband; three men team up for a daring kidnap-robbery. These and other stories collide, dovetail and climax in extreme ways, pushing the couple toward a reunion which in turn restores a kind of order.

Synopsis

The shop mannequin sees endless activity that passes for human existence. People fill their time moving, talking, shopping and looking. They gaze listlessly in at him and he stares impassively back. He is aching for their chance to live, imploring them to make the most of their freedom, outraged that they do not.

Synopsis

Armagh Woman's Prison 1980. Based on true events this is the extraordinary story of an unshakeable bond between two very different women. A young girl, a wild child, Aine, is arrested in Belfast and convicted of joyriding. She is, to her horror, placed in the wing of Armagh jail containing protesting political prisoners. In addition to this she is housed in a cell with the leader of the protesters, Eileen. At first, their differences all to obviously come to the fore; the two women can find no common ground and are at war with each other. However, as time progresses Eileen takes pity on Aine, for whom this is a terrifying experience, and helps her come to terms with this new and frightening environment thus saving Aine's sanity. In turn, as their friendship grows and as the protest escalates, Aine risks all to save Eileen's life. Despite their obvious differences, an unlikely friendship emerges. Shot on location in Kilmainham jail, Silent Grace features an exceptional cast, including IFTA Best Actress nominee, Orla Brady (A Love Divided), Cathleen Bradley (About Adam), and with a special appearance by Patrick Bergin (Sleeping with the Enemy).