Projects in genres: Northern Irish

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).

Synopsis

Two struggling, rather mediocre actors prove the little-known adage that bad actors make great crooks.

Synopsis

a man, no horse, no gun

Synopsis

A native son of north Belfast, award winning playwright, Gary Mitchell, speaks the language of working-class Protestants in the unflinching realist drama that tells the story of the lifelong friendship between two Loyalists blown apart by political change. As The Beast Sleeps is a hard-hitting film about friendship, loyalty and betrayal. The political leadership of the UDA have placed a ban on paramilitary activity which may damage their position in the peace process. The men this affects are the young teams groomed for fighting. For some, the new rules mean a drastic change in lifestyle, a loss of stability and identity. Kyle is caught between loyalty to the UDA and loyalty to Freddie, his best friend. Freddie wants to carry on doing what he was groomed for. They are drawn into conflict when Kyle is reluctantly recruited to head a punishment squad to deal with renegades. When Freddie breaks the ban, personal and political loyalties collide violently. This powerfully-acted BBC film offers a sombre reflection on the peace process.