Marc Bauder’s fiction feature debut The System screened on Tuesday night at the IFI as part of German Film Week. A taut, well-written thriller, The System introduces us to Mike Hiller (Jacob Matschenz), a young layabout who gets involved with a former East German secret service agent Konrad Böhm (Bernhard Schütz) now working as an international lobbyist to secure the future profits from a deal to build a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. Böhm introduces Hiller to a world above petty crime and after exchanging his hoodie for a suit seduces him to the dark side of capitalism.

The System delves into the underbelly of corruption, blackmail, politics, power and profit. Yet as the film develops we learn that there is so much more that actually brings the two together and it is the personal rather than the political that paves their fate.

A smart and sophisticated film, The System is marked by its 3 central standout performances – Jacob Matschenz as the young malcontent, Jenny Schily as his stoic mother, and Bernhard Schütz, enthralling in his role as the Machiavellian shrewd operator.

The German Fim Week at the IFI concludes this evening with the screening of Stopped on Track, Andreas Dresen’s moving drama of a family man suffering from a mailgnant brain tumour – a film that has garnered a multitude of awards and promises to be a fitting end to a fine week of German film.

Tickets are available from the IFI Box Office on 01 679 3477 or online at www.ifi.ie

Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello TD, today announced a nationwide programme of events to mark Africa Day 2012, which will be celebrated with a week-long schedule of activities from 20th to 27th May.

Events will include conferences, film screenings, concerts, schools programmes and other outreach initiatives at various locations throughout Ireland. Flagship family festival events will also take place in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick. All events are being supported by Irish Aid, in partnership with City Councils and others in each of the locations.

At today’s launch, Minister Costello was joined by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague; the Kenyan Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Ms. Catherine Muigai Mwangi; and Salome Mbugua, Director of AkiDwA, the African and migrant women’s network.

Launching the programme, Minster Costello said: “Africa Day presents a great opportunity for communities to join with people from Africa to celebrate their cultures and traditions. Ireland has developed strong connections with Africa, not least those forged by missionaries and non-governmental organisations. More recently, we have seen an increase in trade and business links, while many African communities here are making an invaluable contribution to Irish society.

“Ireland’s overseas development programme is strongly focused on sub-Saharan Africa. I am delighted that Irish Aid is in a position to support events such as this, promoting awareness of the overseas development programme and of the countries with which we work.”

Dublin

In Dublin, Africa Day events will include a free family festival at George’s Dock on the weekend of 26th and 27th May, which will be launched by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Minister Costello and Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague. Stalls from over 20 different African countries will provide free food samples and showcase traditional costumes, arts and crafts. A ‘best dressed’ competition will have prizes for the most stylish man, woman and family, while visitors to the event will also have the opportunity to learn some Swahili and avail of free Henna hand-painting and temporary tattoos.

A range of workshops on trade, travel and the contribution of the African Diaspora will be on offer, as well as a book club discussion on the novel ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Visitors will also be encouraged to participate in drumming and DJing sessions, and to browse photography, art and craft exhibitions.

Children of all ages will be entertained at the kids’ corner, featuring face-painting; art activities; storytelling sessions with traditional African fables; and the African board game, Oware. Representatives from Irish Aid, the Government’s programme for overseas development, and various NGOs will also host a range of fun, interactive activities designed to inform families about their work in Africa.

Music highlights at the Africa Day Dublin event will include Congolese singer-songwriter Niwel Tsumbu; Discovery Gospel Choir; Q (Colm Quearney); the raucous energy of The Amazing Few; smokey jazz and soul from Katie and the Carnival; bluegrass group, Gypsy Rebel Rabble; funk and soul from Fox.E and the Good Hands; up-and-coming Cavan-based act, The Radioactive Grandma; The Cold 100; a special acoustic set from Witchseason; The Urges; and a range of choirs, traditional African dance troupes, and drumming performances. There will also be a dedicated rap / hip-hop / r’n’b stage, featuring sets from DJ iZem, DJ Wax, ShoBiz, TimDogg, DJ V-King, and a host of other African and Irish artists.

Other events in Dublin over the course of the week will include a seminar in Trinity College on Wednesday, 23rd May, entitled: ‘Scaling Up Agriculture: Sharing challenges and experiences of modernising agriculture in Ireland and Africa’, while the Royal Irish Academy will host a series of talks under the theme ‘Environment, Society and Space’ on Thursday, 24th May.

The Morton Stadium, Santry, will also hold ‘onehumanonerace’ – a day of athletics with special guest, former Olympic champion, Kipchoge Keino of Kenya. All amateur runners, global and local, are invited to take part. The event is organised by Sport Against Racism Ireland and the Dublin Multicultural Resource Centre.

Cork, Galway and Limerick

Cork city will mark Africa Day with an eclectic line-up of music, dance and arts from 1.30pm at Bishop Lucey Park on Saturday, 26th May. A vast mix of African cultures will be highlighted throughout the day, with ethnic food, entertainment and workshops on offer. Beginning with an African communities parade, starting at Winthrop Street, highlights of the day will include an African fashion show and children’s entertainment, while a free concert in Christchurch at 8pm will end festivities.

Galway city will celebrate all things African with an intercultural family evening of music, songs and cultural performances at the Commercial Boat Club, Woodquay. Refreshments and finger food from a variety of African countries will be available for tasting. The event will run from 4pm to 8pm on Friday, 25th May. Meanwhile, the Galway African Film Festival takes place at the Nuns Island Arts Centre, from 25th to 27th May. The full programme of films can be found at www.galwayafricanfilmfestival.org.

And Limerick city will also have a weekend of African-themed festivities from 25th to 27th May. Activities will begin on the morning of Friday, 25th May, with drumming sessions, children’s storytelling and an art workshop in Limerick City Library, followed by a ‘Charity Voices of Africa’ concert at 8pm in the Belltable Arts Centre. Other highlights will include Limerick Sportsfest at Crescent College at 12pm on Saturday; ‘May Music in the Park’ at the People’s Park from 2pm to 5pm, also on Saturday; and a Family Fun Day in the Daghda Space on Sunday, 27th May, from 2pm to 6pm.

Dublin Lord Mayor and Kenyan Ambassador
Speaking at today’s launch, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague, said: “Few events celebrate multicultural Ireland better than Africa Day. As the Lord Mayor, I am honoured to be involved, and I am looking forward to experiencing the wonderful sights and sounds of Africa at events during Africa week.

“It is important not to forget the people who came here looking for a home when times were good, and have stuck around even when many have been hit hard by the national financial crisis. Their contribution to Irish culture and society, as well as their impact on the changing face of 21st Century Ireland, cannot be underestimated.

“In this respect, it is right that we celebrate the culture and heritage of Africa with a week of events taking place in Dublin and beyond. I commend Irish Aid for supporting this initiative, as well as the local authorities in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, who are hosting flagship family-day events.”

Kenyan Ambassador, Her Excellency Ms. Catherine Muigai Mwangi, also spoke at today’s launch. “On behalf of the African Embassies in Ireland, I am delighted to be at today’s launch for Africa Day 2012,” she said. “Outside of the African continent, Ireland is one of the countries that plays a lead role in marking Africa Day each year – it sets a best-practice example, in Europe and internationally, by organising a nationwide, week-long programme of events, which promote the involvement and contribution of the African Diaspora and encourage integration.

“Events like Africa Day are hugely important in strengthening relations between the African and Irish communities. Year after year, Africa Day has provided the public with an opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Africa. It has been a fantastic opportunity for African and Irish people to experience each other’s cultures, and I am certain the 2012 programme of events will be just as exciting and appealing as in previous years.”

Full details of all Africa Day events, including timetables for the flagship family festival events in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick, are available at www.africaday.ie

This screening of George Cukor’s sophisticated screwball comedy will be followed by a 1940s swing dance with live performances from The Bugle Babes — Ireland’s own version of the 1940s chart toppers the Andrews Sisters. While Film Fatale’s resident DJs, The Andrews Sisters’ Brothers will play music from the film’s era.

The audience is invited to help set the scene by dressing in their vintage finest, paying homage to 1940s glamour or emulating the characters from the film.

The greatest screwball comedy of the 1940s, The Philadelphia Story is a tale of sex, class, bad manners and media intrusion. It features Katherine Hepburn who plays a socialite divorcée caught between flawed ex-husband Cary Grant and a respectable but somehow unsuitable fiancé (John Howard). Throw disgruntled novelist-reporter Jimmy Stewart and his colleague and special lady-friend (Ruth Hussey) into the mix, add a few too many bottles of champagne on the eve of the wedding and you have the makings of a great comic calamity.

This night of cinema nostalgia and old–style Hollywood sophistication will transport the audience back to the golden age of 1940s Hollywood for a night of film, vintage fashion, dancing and good old-fashioned fun.

Tickets €15 are available at Entertainment.ie (http://entertainment.ie/tickets).
Doors from 8pm.

1940s swing dance from 11pm with tickets at the door (€5)

For more information see http://filmfataleevents.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/filmfataleevents.

This Friday, RTÉ’s The Works will be filming at the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin and would like to hear from members of the public about which is their favourite painting in RTÉ’s Masterpiece campaign and why. RTÉ is inviting people to come along to the gallery and talk on camera about their best-loved piece of the short-listed ten. From 10am to 5pm on Friday, there will be a recording point set up – all the public need to do is come to the gallery reception on the day.

After a five-week long campaign, Ireland’s Favourite Painting culminates next Thursday when the winner will be announced on The Works by President Michael D. Higgins.

The National Gallery of Ireland, which houses seven of the paintings on the shortlist, has reported increased footfall, with visitors to the gallery in April 2012 up by approximately 20,000 on the same period 2011. According to Valerie Keogh, Press & Communications Officer, National Gallery of Ireland, ‘The increase can be attributed to Easter week activities. In particular we noted an increase in visitors and comments following the RTÉ broadcast on 17 April of ‘Masterpiece: Ireland’s Favourite Painting’. In our Gallery Shop, sale of merchandise relating to all the shortlist paintings have doubled.’

The Hugh Lane Gallery also reports an increase in visitors coming in especially to see the Scully and Clarke pieces. ‘The attendants have noticed people are coming in with the list of 10 paintings and ticking them off, as they see them,’ said Dr. Margarita Cappock, Head of Collections, Hugh Lane Gallery. ‘We recently had someone ask for a chair to see the Harry Clarke piece and they spent over two and a half hours standing on the chair peering at it!’

Deputy Director at The Model in Sligo, Emer McGarry said: “Following the nomination of Communicating with Prisoners as one of Ireland’s favourite paintings, there was a huge increase in the number of people coming to The Model, requesting to see the work. The painting was due to be hung on May 10th as part of the exhibition, Yeats & Son, but we were delighted to put it on show in The Niland Gallery, earlier than planned, in order to meet demand and there are still lots of people coming in to see the work as part of the show.’

This Thursday, on RTÉ’s The Works, the final two celebrity champions will make their case for their favourite paintings. Pat Shortt will talk about A Connemara Village by Paul Henry and Mary O’Rourke will talk about Johannes Vermeer’s, Lady Writing a Letter.

Pat says: I had two older brothers who were painters and my dad painted as well so I’d always go into a gallery if I was in a town. I’m not an anorak but I appreciate and like it. I live in Co Limerick and look across at the Clare Hills and you can see the light looking biblical though the clouds. He’s done that with the village. It’s amazing use of colour….almost kind of punk-y….it’s quite radical and dark. It brings you right in. The image is simple but dynamic. If you’ve ever travelled, and Irish people are great for travelling, when you get home you do see those colours and shapes, when you’re away it does evoke a sense of Ireland and an emotional tie to the land and culture. It’s what Ireland is about.

Mary says: ‘I think Vermeer is wonderful. There is a story with every painting. In this painting I believe the lady is writing to her lover….and she is very intent in her writing. She can’t get it down quick enough. And I think she has a really faithful maid-servant. The two of them are together in this escapade. Maybe I’m Mills and Boon, I don’t know! But that’s what I think of it. It is an escapade of love. I have no doubt about that. It’s quite perfect.’

Tomorrow, on RTÉ Radio 1’s Today with PK, the radio partner for the Masterpiece campaign, Pat Kenny talks to Adrian Le Haravil of the National Gallery about Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ and Barbara Dawson of the Hugh Lane Gallery about Sean Scully’s Wall of Light Orange Yellow.

Voting closes at 2pm on Monday 21 May so those voting by post have just one day left to send a postcard nominating their favourite painting to RTÉ’s Freepost address: Ireland’s Favourite Painting, RTÉ, Freepost, Dublin 4. Or, they can go to www.rte.ie/masterpiece and make their selection.

Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (BSÉ/IFB) has announced changes to the organisation of the creative decision making structures in the Agency.

The current roles of two Production Executives and a Development Executive are to cease once the current contracts expire on a phased basis from now to the beginning of next year. In their place, three Project Managers will be retained to manage projects across all genres from the initial concept stage right through to the project launch onto the market. The new structure will provide multiple access points for applicants who will have the option to approach any one of the three Project Managers with a development or production application for their project.

One of the Project Managers will be based in Galway and two will be based in Dublin.

The new arrangements will further enhance the development and production process of projects supported by BSÉ/IFB. They will provide a greater focus from the start on support for all the creative talent in each project and a renewed focus on the audience throughout the whole process.

James Hickey, Chief Executive of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said “I believe that the new structure will provide applicants with access to a broadly experienced creative team. A member of the team will assist applicants in taking their project from the first stage of development to full scale production and distribution of the film with a focus on delivering high quality projects with strong Irish creative talent behind them and a focus on audiences both local and international”.

The changes will come into effect on a phased basis but will be fully operational by the beginning of 2013.

DIR: Adrian Grunberg WRI: Mel Gibson, Adrian Grunberg PRO: Mel Gibson,
Bruce Davey, Stacey Perskie DOP: Benoit Debie ED: Steven Rosenblum
DES: Bernardo Trujillo Cast: Mel Gibson, Peter Stormare, Dean Norris,
Bob Gunton, Kevin Hernandez

By any man’s reckoning, it has been a tough few years for one Mel
Colmcille Gerard Gibson. First there was his DUI arrest in Malibu in
July 2006, which gathered many headlines after Anti-Semitic remarks he
made to an arresting officer were leaked on the internet. Further
trouble would then follow for Gibson in 2010, when infamous voice
recordings of conversations between him and his then partner, Oksana
Grigorieva, were also released into the public domain, which opened up
allegations of racism, sexism and domestic violence against the
Braveheart star.

Though his earlier misdemeanour didn’t cause too much harm to his
career initially (his fourth feature as director, Apocalypto, went to
number one in the US Box Office towards the tail end of 2006), the
latter offence played a major part in the financial failure of his
most recent film, Jodie Foster’s The Beaver.

As a result, there is now uncertainty as to what standing the New
York-born auteur has in Hollywood. He has managed to secure a key role
in Robert Rodriguez’s upcoming Machete Lives, but that will come after
his third lead role in as many years in How I Spent My Summer
Vacation, which has gone straight to Video-On-Demand Stateside, where
it goes under the title Get The Gringo.

It has gained a theatrical run in the UK & Ireland, however, and for
those who are able to get past a frankly rubbish title, they will get
to see Mad Mel returning to the kind of role that he made his own in a
succession of films in the late 80s and early 90s. Sure, he looks a
lot more grizzled than he did in his action heyday, but Adrian
Grunberg’s directorial debut is as close as he has come to playing
Martin Riggs since his Richard Donner’s Lethal Weapon franchise came
to an end in 1998.

This is quite fitting, as 2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the
generation-defining original Lethal Weapon film, and though How I
Spent My Summer Vacation could never hope to hold a candle to the
adventures of Riggs & Murtagh, it does still serve as a reminder of
what Gibson can offer in front of a camera if he is presented with the
proper material.

Based on a script that was co-written by Gibson and Grunberg (who
worked with Gibson as Assistant Director on Apocalypto and Edge Of
Darkness), How I Spent My Summer Vacation has Gibson as a getaway
driver, who is arrested across the Mexican border following a botched
robbery, and subsequently finds himself holed up in an unorthodox Vera
Cruz prison.

While there, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young boy
(Kevin Hernandez), whose heart is of great importance to the crooked
head of the prison. Much of the action takes place while Gibson’s
character (referred to in the credits as ‘Driver’) is on the inside,
though it does eventually move out into the open for a typically
explosive finale.

Given his strong connection with Grunberg, and his presence as both a
writer and producer, it is clear that Gibson is giving his full
commitment to his latest project, and it will be a pleasure for many
people to see the Mad Max actor back in action mode.

As far as Grunberg is concerned, however, his first gig as the main
man behind the camera is somewhat unremarkable, as the finished
product that he has conjured up is ultimately a standard throwaway
action thriller, the kind that the aforementioned Robert Rodriguez
would usually come up with in his sleep.

It doesn’t have the exploitation edge of some of Rodriguez’s back
catalogue, but it does have an air of familiarity about it
nevertheless. Indeed, it is the charismatic presence of Gibson that
offers the main reason to see the film, although there are a few other
worthy elements to recommend.

Hernandez is a very accomplished young actor, who gives a very
authentic performance, there are entertaining supporting roles for
Peter Stormare and The Shawshank Redemption‘s Bob Gunton, and the
soundtrack by Antonio Pinto ensures that the film is finely paced.

Grunberg also handles the main set-pieces in a sufficient manner, but
the film simply won’t stay with you in the same way that Mad Max and
Lethal Weapon has done in the past. Still, How I Spent My Summer
Vacation is enjoyable fare while it lasts, which finds its
controversial leading man in fine form indeed.

Daire Walsh

Rated 16 (see IFCO website for details)
How I Spent My Summer is released on 211h May 2012

A House of Cards

Written by actors Mark McCabe and Eddie Jackson A House of Cards gives insight in to a difficult family reunion dinner coming to terms with their mother’s illness. The film boasts an impressive cast and was directed by Jordan Ballantine, produced by Alice O’ Toole for Floor Unit Productions, Kenneth Adams was the DoP while the short will be scored by composer Edd Charmant.

The cast includes IFTA-winner Brendan Conroy (Kings), The Clinic star Rachel Pilkington (Bloom), Amy Kirwan (Eamon), Niamh Shaw (Dorothy Mills), Steve Hartland (The Importance Of Being Whatever), Mark McCabe (Sin é) and Eddie Jackson (Promised Land).

Follow A House of Cards on Facebook.

Brendan Conroy as Uncle Colm

Steve Hartland and Rachel Pilkington

RTÉ Television has announced the search for MasterChef Ireland 2012 and is calling on all passionate amateur cooks to apply to take part in the new series.

Michelin-starred chef Dylan McGrath and top restaurateur Nick Munier will once again be joining forces as judges on MasterChef Ireland 2012 and are calling on people with a passion for food to take part in the hit RTÉ Two series.

Speaking about the new series Dylan McGrath said: ‘We want to find Ireland’s best amateur cook and we want to hear from everyone in Ireland who thinks they have what it takes to be the next MasterChef champion. MasterChef Ireland is such a great opportunity to show off the talent that exists in Ireland at an amateur level, and to showcase the Irish produce that we have. Although we have a small population I’m absolutely confident that we can compete at an international level.’

Executive Producer, Larry Bass: ‘We want to hear from everyone in Ireland who thinks they have what it takes to be the next MasterChef champion. Last year’s series was a huge hit and really captured the public imagination. This year we expect it to be even bigger and better! We are looking for brilliant amateur cooks who will be available to take part in a busy filming schedule over this summer. You need to be obsessed with food and cooking and up for a challenge. We want to hear from all over Ireland so if you think you’re a fantastic amateur cook get online now and apply at www.rte.ie/masterchef.’

Nick Munier said: ‘I’m hoping to see exceptional cooks that operate by instinct and have a natural flair for taste and flavour. This could be a life-changing opportunity for the winner and I want to find someone with the determination and drive to succeed, regardless of their background.’

Applicants will have just under two weeks to apply to take part. Successful applicants will compete against the best amateur cooks in the country to gain a place on the hit television series.

Those who prove themselves worthy of a place in the final 16 will be put through a series of intense tasks and challenges each week to test their culinary talent and skill as they try to impress MasterChef judges, Nick Munier and Dylan McGrath. Contestants will be eliminated at different stages of the series until there is one winner, who will walk away with the title of MasterChef Ireland champion 2012 and the prize of €25,000.

The closing date for applications is the 28th May 2012.

For more details on how to apply and terms and conditions please go to www.rte.ie/masterchef

MasterChef Ireland is produced for RTÉ by Screentime ShinAwiL LTD

The Irish Film Board have released a ful list of Irish films that are  screening and selling at Cannes this year.

SCREENINGS @ CANNES 2012

ANTON CORBIJN INSIDE OUT
Thurs 17 May 15.30 Arcades 1
Mon 21 May 14.00 Arcades 2

CITADEL
Fri 18 May 14.00 Riviera 1
Sun 20 May 09.30 Lerins 1

DOLLHOUSE
Sat 19 May 13.30 Riviera 2

EL GUSTO
Fri 18 May 18.00 Palais K
Mon 21 May 12.00 Palais K

GOOD VIBRATIONS
Thurs 17 May 20.00 Star 2
Mon 21 May 11.30 Star 3

JUMP
Sat 19 May 14.00 Palais C

LEGENDS OF VALHALLA – THOR
Fri 18 May 12.00 Riviera 1
Mon 21 May 16.00 Riviera 1

SHADOW DANCER
Thurs 17 May 18.00 Star 1
Sat 19 May 10.00 Olympia 3

MOON MAN
Fri 18 May 14.00 Olympia 6
Sun 20 May 10.00 Arcades 2
Mon 21 May 12.00 Arcades 2

SONGS FOR AMY
Wed 23 May 16.00 Riviera 1

STITCHES
Thurs 17 May 17.30 Arcades 1
Mon 21 May 15.30 Star 3

FILMS SELLING @ CANNES 2012

A BOATLOAD OF WILD IRISHMEN

ANTON CORBIJN INSIDE OUT

BYZANTIUM

CITADEL

DOLLHOUSE

DREAMS OF A LIFE

EL GUSTO

GOOD VIBRATIONS

GRABBERS

JUMP

KELLY & VICTOR

LEGENDS OF VALHALLA – THOR

SHADOW DANCER

MOON MAN

SONGS FOR AMY

SNAKE DANCE

STITCHES

http://www.irishfilmboard.ie

4 Days in May screened on Monday evening continuing the German Film Week at the IFI. The third film by writer/director Achim von Borries, 4 Days in May portrays an extremely odd incident that took place during the final days of World War II. With the end of the war imminent 8 Russian soldiers under the command of Captain Kalmykov (Aleksei Guskov) lie low in a German-run orphan shelter on the Baltic coast. Meanwhile a large troop of war-weary German soldiers arrive on the nearby beach, forcing a stand-off between both sets of soldiers. Yet as events transpire it is not the German soldiers that the Russians end up having problems with.

Von Borries chooses to tell the story from the perspective of a 13-year-old German boy, who gets caught up in the events desperate to prove himself a hero, which allows the director to tell the tale from a non-judgmental standpoint and focus on the events that unfold. Since his debut feature in 2000 England!, von Borries has proved himself to be a director with a strong sense of narrative and a skill for evoking mood. No better than here with 4 Days in May in a beautifully shot climax to events that is stunning in its simplicity and effective in its message.

The film will no doubt have sparked many a political and philosophical debate amongst its German and Russian audiences. Ultimately though, this is a human story and functions as a valuable personal footnote to the larger scale story of war.

With 4 Days in May Von Borries has created a compelling film that challenges preconceptions of what makes soldiers do what they do and opens up perceptions of both sides through the eyes of the other.

The German Fim Week at the IFI continues this evening with the screening Marc Bauder’s thriller The System at 18.50.

Tickets are available from the IFI Box Office on 01 679 3477 or online at www.ifi.ie

Steven Galvin

This coming Thursday, 17th May Magic Lantern Film Society will be
tantalising and teasing you with an intriguing and delectable Italian
classic Viva Maria. The screening will take place at 7.30 pm at the
Nerve Centre in Magazine Street and admission is £4

Maria Fitzgerald O’Malley (Brigitte Bardot) is the daughter of an
Irish political dissident who has travelled to Latin America with her
father to take part in an anarchist political uprising. When her
father was killed, Maria left to her own devices, where she became
friends with one of the performers of the circus, also named Maria.
She decided to stay with the circus. On her debut as a singer, she
accidently invented strip-tease that made the circus famous. This
satire of political revolutions is visually spectacular, pairing
France’s two most popular stars: Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau.

We would also like to remind people that there are still a range of
attractive and good value memberships which are available and valid
until the end of 2012. For more information on this, and all our
screening and membership please visit or website at
www.magiclanternderry.co.uk, become our friend on facebook, or pick up
a copy of the current programme at the Nerve Centre.

Films in Progress, the twice-yearly rendezvous at the San Sebastian Festival and the Rencontres Cinémas d’Amérique Latine in Toulouse, opens the registration period for its coming edition.

Films in Progress 22 will take place in San Sebastian on 25 and 26 September 2012 within the framework of the Festival’s 60th edition.

This initiative by the San Sebastian Festival and the Rencontres Cinémas d’Amérique Latine in Toulouse focuses on contributing to the completion of Latin American feature films at the post-production stage.

The awards granted in Films in Progress, and the presentation of these films for industry professionals in San Sebastian and Toulouse, has made a remarkable contribution in recent years to the completion and dissemination of some of the most outstanding contemporary Latin American films.

Films in Progress 22 is open to feature films produced in the different Latin American countries, the filming of which has been completed, but which are having difficulties with the post-production process.
The following award will be granted at Films in Progress 22:

• The Films in Progress Industry Award. The companies: Best Digital, Dolby, Imasblue, Kodak (División de Cine Profesional), Nephilim Producciones, No Problem Sonido and Vértigo Films will assume the post-production of a film until achieving a DCP with English subtitles and its distribution in Spain.

Films participating in Films in Progress will have access to international circulation on the worldwide Instituto Cervantes network.

DEADLINE FOR FILM REGISTRATION: 30 JUNE 2012
(DEADLINE FOR THE RECEPTION OF DVD,S IN DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN)

ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM of Films in Progress on sansebastianfestival.com

FILMS SHOULD BE SENT TO:

• San Sebastian Festival:
  Plazo Okendo, 1
  20004 Donostia-San Sebastián (España)
  T: +34 943 48 12 12 – F: +34 943 48 12 18
  enconstruccion@sansebastianfestival.com
  www.sansebastianfestival.com

This programme, organised by the International Film Festival with the Amiens (France) and Fribourg (Switzerland) international festivals, will exclusively comprise feature films at the end of their filming or at the post-production stage.

Cinema in Motion 8 will take place on Monday, 24th September 2012 at the 60th International Film Festival in San Sebastian.

As a new feature this year, directors from all over the African continent can also present their projects to Cinema in Motion, in addition to those from developing Arab countries: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria.

The directors and/or producers of the selected films will have the chance to defend their projects before professionals from all sectors accredited at the International Film Festival Industry Club.

Different kinds of aid will be granted within the framework of Cinema in Motion 8, among which:

Mactari mixing auditorium: €15,000 in services.
CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée): 10.000 € in aid towards the post-production in France.
Dubai International Film Festival: €5,000 towards post-production costs for an arabic film.
Amiens International Festival: a 35 mm print without subtitles.
Fribourg International Festival: a 35 mm print without subtitles.
Titra Film: €2,500 towards subtitling in French or English.

The on-line entry form will be available at www.sansebastianfestival.com

Cinema in Motion thanks the following companies and institutions for their backing:

France: Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC), Mactari (mixing auditorium), Titra Film
Portugal: Instituto do Cinema e do Audiovisual (ICA)
Spain: Casa Árabe-IEAM, Fundación Audiovisual de Andalucía
United Arab Emirates: Dubai International Film Festival

Acting workshop with Maeve McGrath

LIT Aula Maxima Theatre

Saturday 28^th of April 3pm

This event was a very intense acting workshop with well-known local actress Maeve McGrath whose acting credits include: “Buddy” (IFB Short), “The Normandy Express” (Short ), “Ros na Rún” (TG4), “Mother me Daughter” (ITV), “Cowboys and Angels” (Feature), “Fair City” (RTE), “Radio Waves” (BBC), “Gold in the Streets” (Feature), “Ballykissangel” (BBC), “Last Year” (Show in a Bag-ABSOLUT Fringe), “Tea Set” (Belltable) and “A Woman of no Importance” (Abbey).

Maeve is a founding member of Sidhe Theatre and Film (www.sidhefilm.com), is drama tutor for City of Limerick VEC and also set up a drama school called “Theatreworks” in 2002.

Booking for this session was essential due to the low capacity.  I’m always a little afraid of getting my feet wet at practical sessions like this one, there is always that fear that you will make an eejit of yourself.  The great thing about Maeve is that she never let anyone feel stupid or awkward throughout the session.  She went through each activity with patience giving clear concise instructions to the participants who were of mixed ages.

The session began with some ‘warm-up’ improvisation, I thought ‘here we go, I’m bunched!’ but boy was I wrong. Maeve made everyone feel completely at ease chatting candidly about her career and adding in some amusing anecdotes.  For instance she spoke about the time when she was told to walk into a room and stand in a particular spot.  She forgot where to go and threw out all the other cast members.  She warned that if you are told to stand in one spot you have to stand there every time.  Even if you are moving into the room.

Outlining the differences between working on set to on stage she said movement tends to be more exaggerated on stage but subtlety is what is needed for screen.  When working on a play you get weeks of rehearsal but might only get a script to learn for screen the night before.  You might even get re-writes right on the set, just before you’re due to do the scene.  These tidbits were really helpful.  Most of the participants had some stage experience, so the subtle art of screen seemed a bit daunting.

The second half of the session concentrated on some script work.  This is where we saw where the real talent was.  I begged for a short script and got my way.  It was a scene from EastEnders and needless to say I nailed it!  Other pieces included Sherlock Holmes, EastEnders and other popular television dramas, these scripts can be found on the BBC Writersroom script library webpage – http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/.

Maeve finished the session with some helpful tips such as not changing your hair colour after you send in your head shot as you are being cast for how you look.  This is the first impression casting agents and producers get of you, so you only have one chance to get it right.  Do your research on the role you are pitching for and make sure that you come in prepared.  Always make sure that you are professional on set, no matter whether you’re getting paid or not.  Never be late.

Needless to say it was not my finest hour and there will be no acting agents beating down the door but I had a good laugh and everyone went away smiling and confident, which is what every acting class should be like.

If you want to contact or get further information on Maeve or any of her up and coming courses: http://www.sidhetheatre.webs.com/

Or http://www.sidhefilm.com/

Eleanor McSherry

Almanya: Welcome To Germany screened on Saturday evening as part of the German Film Week at the IFI. A light-hearted and charming comedy, the film explores the experiences of 3 generations of Turks who settled in Germany to make a life for themselves. The film, set in modern-day Germany, traces its family’s history of immigration. Effortlessly shifting from 1964 to the present day, the flashbacks are told from the perspective of Canan, a young member of the family who is telling the story to her 6-year-old cousin Cenk at a family meal. Cenk’s curiosity has been piqued by incidents at school where he doesn’t know which football side to play on and when his teacher’s map doesn’t extend to his family’s original homeland – as a result the teacher’s pin is fastened into the empty space of the wall to the right of the map.

Canan’s story tells how the family’s most senior member Hüseyin left his family in Turkey in the mid 1960s to become a part of Germany’s ‘economical miracle’. His family soon join him setting off this comedy of cultural misunderstanding and family bonds. Hüseyin tells the family at dinner that he has bought a house back in their homeland and wants them all to join him on a trip back to Turkey.

Yasemin Samdereli directs with a keen eye and a feel-good nature, shooting Turkey in glorious dappled colours and widescreen open terrains while Germany is shot in tighter enclosed spaces with a more washed-out palette. Written with her sister Nesrin Samdereli, Almanya: Welcome To Germany  is a breezy, well-paced effort which maintains a buoyant mood throughout. It skillfully feeds off stereotypes for comic affect without ever straying into unpalatable territory. The film is cleverly constructed winning over the audience with its comic heart and likeable characters in such an endearing and affective manner that it is also able to adeptly pull at the heartstrings when it matters most.

The German Fim Week at the IFI continues this evening with the screening of 4 Days in May, Achim von Borries’ controversial film which depicts a true incident that took place in the final days of World War II told through the eyes of its 13-year-old protagonist.

Tickets are available from the IFI Box Office on 01 679 3477 or online at www.ifi.ie

Steven Galvin