Projects in genres: Northern Irish

Synopsis

A sympathetic but searching portrait of Frank Ryan (1902-1944) IRA activist in Ireland, International Brigade Volunteer in Spain and Nazi collaborator in Berlin. Ryan enters a Faustian pact with a Nazi regime he believes will assist in forging a united Ireland. His collaboration is justified by the republican motto: "My enemy's enemy is my friend". But the former radical and internationalist pays a heavy price for this pact. The film raises important questions about collaboration between the IRA and the Nazis in World War II. It opens up a long suppressed debate about Irish neutrality in that war. Drawing upon Ryan’s correspondence and using a rich mix of period archive combined with live action - with a striking portrayal of Frank Ryan by Dara Devaney - the film makers tell a story of tragic proportions and probe the enigma that was Frank Ryan.

Synopsis

After 1968, Ulrike Meinhof and Fusako Shigenobu sought world revolution. As leaders of the Baader Meinhof Group and the Japanese Red Army, they became the most notorious 'terrorists' of their time. Journalists Bettina Röhl and May Shigenobu explore the lives of their revolutionary mothers: what were they fighting for and what have we learned?

Synopsis

Eileen is a mother of two children, who are both about to fly the nest. Summer stretches out in front of the family who, except for Eileen, have plans to go abroad, to a festival, to their dad's wedding. A new relationship suddenly comes into her life, and briefly she blooms. However Bill the new boyfriend, a pot smoking ex-cricketer has his own problems. Their fling opens the door to insecurity and paranoia for Eileen, and one day under the guise of celebrating her new 'love' she has a drink. Once she starts she doesn't stop. The film treads a constant line between darkness and humour as it moves from its beginning in a sedate suburban cricket club to its conclusion at a music festival.

Synopsis

An epic 12 year journey into in the world of an Irish Traveller community, Knuckle takes us inside their brutal, secretive and exhilarating bare-knuckle fighting lives.   Chronicling a history of violent feuding between rival families, the story focuses on two brothers as they fight for their reputations and the honour of their family name.

Synopsis

Des and Mo are an Irish couple who arrive in Melbourne on their second honeymoon, but their luggage doesn't arrive with them. Their troubles worsen once their bankcard is swallowed at the ATM, forcing them to stay at a hostel. When Des is charged for abuse towards airport staff and Mo is forced to pawn her wedding ring to release him, it looks like the romance is over. However it is Des and Mo's unexpected encounters that lead them to a greater adventure than they could have ever imagined. It's a film about love, luggage and living on the edge.

Synopsis

A father and son face off in this darkly amusing tale. The father, returning to find his son has set fire to their house, offers the boy a deal: he'll give him a 50 yard head start and he'll only put one bullet in the chamber. The son decides to negotiate.

Synopsis

A man finds himself trapped in a labyrinth of alleyways and must navigate his way to freedom. He is accosted by strange and terrifying figures. A young heroine steps in and saves him from a Cyclops, and a large ball like object chases them along a post apocalyptic tale of being lost in time and space.  

Synopsis

James has learnt to be withdrawn and secretive in a family with long buried secrets. Lonely and confused, he is drawn to one of his schoolteachers, Mr Sutherland, focusing on him as the one person who might understand his inner turmoil. When an older man approaches him in a public toilet, James panics and calls his mother, but refuses to tell her what happened. Late that night, James listens to his parents arguing about him. His fathers offhanded dismissal of his mothers concern results in a vicious row. When a devastated James turns to Mr Sutherland for help, the teachers response leads James to take an irrevocable step.

Synopsis

Little Matador  is a feature length documentary about children bullfighters in Mexico. Kids as young as eight are trained to kill bulls ten times their weight. The film follows three children who are fighting not just the bull but their own demons; Michelito is ten. The adored child of a matador Dad, Michelito has killed over two hundred bulls. ‘Picasso was born to paint, Mozart to make music – and Michelito to be a matador,’ says Dad. Can Michelito fulfil his father’s dream to become the youngest matador in history? Joel is nine. Neglected by his mum and step-father, he finds paternal love in the ring. Matador Ismael becomes Joel’s surrogate father and guardian angel. But if Ismael moves to Spain for his own career, what will happen to Joel? Andrea is twelve. She started bullfighting when her father moved to America. Andrea has disowned her dad – who has found a new woman - and vows to save her mum from poverty by becoming a superstar bullfighter. But will Andrea ever get over her terrible nerves every time she enters the ring? Little Matador is an extraordinary testimony to the lengths these kids will go to realise their dream.

Synopsis

Mickey B is a world first, a feature film adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, made with serving prisoners as cast, in Northern Ireland's notorious maximum security prison, HMP Maghaberry. Set in the fictional private prison of Burnam, where gangs run the wings, violence and drugs are the common currency. Duncan, the number one drug dealer, is about to be released. Mickey B is the muscle collecting on his behalf. The three witches take on the guise of three bookies, fixing the odds for their own ends. Ladyboy, Mickey B's bitch embodies the corrupting role of the queen of hate, scheming to reach the number one slot. Shot in hand held close up with cold, razor-blue filters, an unrelenting claustrophobic intimacy draws us into this dark world of ashen, scarred faces and tattooed flesh. Casual everyday violence, bourn out of the prisoners’ first hand experiences, ensures gritty, authentic and visceral performances. The laconic, drawling voices snake the story through each unexpected shocking attack. The brutality of clipped street slang delivered at staccato pace punctuates the monotony of endless prison time. This is a Macbeth like no other.

Synopsis

Michael McCrea owes money to Darren Perrier, the biggest, nastiest gangster in the whole of Dublin. Today's the day that Perrier will collect. But Michael is flat broke and only has 24 hours to pay up. Michael's best friend Brenda has just been dumped. To make matters worse, she’s just shot one of Perrier’s thugs. Perrier puts a price on Michael's head, a 'bounty', so now Michael and Brenda must escape every hood in town. Michael's dad Jim has had a vision that Death himself is waiting on his doorstep, ready to strike as soon as he falls asleep. Jim joins our fleeing couple, but it's a nightmare being on the run with insomnia.

Synopsis

Ireland, 1942. While the adults are off fighting in the War, two children are forced to walk a fine line between responsibility and childhood fantasy. In the dripping taps and ticking clocks of their home they discover hidden Morse Code messages, but if the messages are real, who sent them?