Adaptation 2010
Adapting the Border
November 5th - 7th 2010
Adapting the Border
November 5th - 7th 2010
Adaptation, the only festival of cinema and literature in Ireland or Britain took place for its sixth year in Dromahair 5th-7th November in 2010.
That year’s festival, presented in association with the Irish Film Institute, featured border writers whose work has made it to the screen.
There was a particular focus on the Monaghan writer Eugene McCabe who this year celebrated his 80th birthday.
That year’s festival, presented in association with the Irish Film Institute, featured border writers whose work has made it to the screen.
There was a particular focus on the Monaghan writer Eugene McCabe who this year celebrated his 80th birthday.
Friday 5th November
Eugene McCabe was writing about the tensions that surrounded him in his home farm on the Monaghan-Fermanagh border when he took on the trilogy of Troubles plays for RTE that became known as the Victims Trilogy. In director Deirdre Friel he found a talented collaborator.
7.00pm VICTIMS I: CANCER (1976) 70mins
Set against the deceptive rural calm of the South Fermanagh countryside two neighbours make an odyssey through their troubled locale. The film chillingly poses the question of what is the real death: that of the body or the mind.
7.00pm VICTIMS I: CANCER (1976) 70mins
Set against the deceptive rural calm of the South Fermanagh countryside two neighbours make an odyssey through their troubled locale. The film chillingly poses the question of what is the real death: that of the body or the mind.
8.15pm OPENING RECEPTION:
Woodview Inn, Dromahair. All Welcome.
Woodview Inn, Dromahair. All Welcome.
9.00pm DECEMBER BRIDE (1991) 90mins
Adapted from the Sam Hanna Bell 1951 novel set in 1900s County Down tells the tale of a farm servant who refuses to identify which of the two brothers is the father of her child to be. Thaddeus O'Sullivan directs with the keen eye developed in his earlier role as a cinematographer and draws strong performances from his stand-out cast of Saskia Reeves, Donal McCann and Ciaran Hinds.
Adapted from the Sam Hanna Bell 1951 novel set in 1900s County Down tells the tale of a farm servant who refuses to identify which of the two brothers is the father of her child to be. Thaddeus O'Sullivan directs with the keen eye developed in his earlier role as a cinematographer and draws strong performances from his stand-out cast of Saskia Reeves, Donal McCann and Ciaran Hinds.
Saturday 6th November
Eugene McCabe will be in Dromahair to introduce screenings and to engage in discussion of his work
12.00pm VICTIMS II: HERITAGE (1976) 90mins
Twenty four hours of tension in the life of a young part-time UDR soldier. For Eugene McCabe this film has a particular poignancy as life in his border neighbourhood was to follow art some years after he wrote this story. Deirdre Friel directs.
Twenty four hours of tension in the life of a young part-time UDR soldier. For Eugene McCabe this film has a particular poignancy as life in his border neighbourhood was to follow art some years after he wrote this story. Deirdre Friel directs.
2.00pm KING OF THE CASTLE (1977)
Leitrim-set King of The Castle tells the story of Scober McAdam, a man who has greedily acquired a former "Big House" but who must conceal his impotence by devising a plot to impregnate his young wife. Louis Lentin directs Eugene McCabe's script in a story that resonates through the intervening years. Impressive performances from Tony Doyle, Cyril Cusack and Fionnuala Flanagan
Leitrim-set King of The Castle tells the story of Scober McAdam, a man who has greedily acquired a former "Big House" but who must conceal his impotence by devising a plot to impregnate his young wife. Louis Lentin directs Eugene McCabe's script in a story that resonates through the intervening years. Impressive performances from Tony Doyle, Cyril Cusack and Fionnuala Flanagan
4.00pm VICTIMS III: SIEGE (1976) 70mins
Victims III: A retired British Army Colonel, his family and dinner guests are held captive by a hard-nosed but divided Republican unit. Deirdre Friel directs.
Victims III: A retired British Army Colonel, his family and dinner guests are held captive by a hard-nosed but divided Republican unit. Deirdre Friel directs.
7.00pm BLARNEY - IRELAND'S BORDERLINE (1938) 62mins
One from deep in the archives. Irish Music hall legend Jimmy O'Dea takes to the big screen in this comic story about a medicine salesman who gets into hot water when he picks up the proceeds of a recent jewel heist.
One from deep in the archives. Irish Music hall legend Jimmy O'Dea takes to the big screen in this comic story about a medicine salesman who gets into hot water when he picks up the proceeds of a recent jewel heist.
RUN OF THE COUNTRY (1995) 106mins
Adapted by Shane Connaughton from his novel.
Peter Yates directs Albert Finney as the local border guard at odds with his 18 year old son (Matt Keeslar) who is in turn engaged in a youthful romance with Victoria Smurfit. There is not a little political subterfuge with Anthony Brophy (recently of The Tudors) adding a bad-boy edge as Keeslar's more worldly-wise friend.
Shane Connaughton will be in attendance to introduce the screening
Adapted by Shane Connaughton from his novel.
Peter Yates directs Albert Finney as the local border guard at odds with his 18 year old son (Matt Keeslar) who is in turn engaged in a youthful romance with Victoria Smurfit. There is not a little political subterfuge with Anthony Brophy (recently of The Tudors) adding a bad-boy edge as Keeslar's more worldly-wise friend.
Shane Connaughton will be in attendance to introduce the screening
Sunday 7th November
12.00pm IN THE BORDER COUNTRY (1991) 48mins
Thaddeus O'Sullivan directs this adaptation by Daniel Mornin of the Greek tragedy the Orestaia in which two border families living next door to each other nurture an ongoing feud. Sean Bean, Juliette Stevenson and Saskia Reeves lead. Look out too for early performances from Brendan Gleeson and Ruadhri Conroy.
Thaddeus O'Sullivan directs this adaptation by Daniel Mornin of the Greek tragedy the Orestaia in which two border families living next door to each other nurture an ongoing feud. Sean Bean, Juliette Stevenson and Saskia Reeves lead. Look out too for early performances from Brendan Gleeson and Ruadhri Conroy.
1.00pm GALE DAY (1979) 60mins
Pat O'Connor, whose work as director has appeared in a number of previous Adaptation weekends, helms Eugene McCabe's treatment of the trial of Patrick Pearse. Louis Lentin descibes the heart of the film as a "highly imaginative fantasy about the thoughts and speculations going through the mind of a man who is soon to die".
Pat O'Connor, whose work as director has appeared in a number of previous Adaptation weekends, helms Eugene McCabe's treatment of the trial of Patrick Pearse. Louis Lentin descibes the heart of the film as a "highly imaginative fantasy about the thoughts and speculations going through the mind of a man who is soon to die".
2.15pm KID'S FILM
To be announced.
To be announced.
4.30pm ROMA (1979) 60mins
Louis Lentin directs Mick Lally in the role of a chip shop attendant in what is arguably the Galway actor's finest screen role. Eugene McCabe provides the script.
Louis Lentin directs Mick Lally in the role of a chip shop attendant in what is arguably the Galway actor's finest screen role. Eugene McCabe provides the script.
6.30pm MAPMAKER (2001) 95mins
Johnny Gogan writes and directs this Fermanagh set thriller. Also filmed in Leitrim and Sligo, it tells the story of a cartographer compelled to find the truth behind a local disappearance, even if his actions threaten to unsettle the tenuous peace. With Brian F. O'Byrne and Susan Lynch.
Director in attendance.
Johnny Gogan writes and directs this Fermanagh set thriller. Also filmed in Leitrim and Sligo, it tells the story of a cartographer compelled to find the truth behind a local disappearance, even if his actions threaten to unsettle the tenuous peace. With Brian F. O'Byrne and Susan Lynch.
Director in attendance.
8.30pm BUTCHER BOY (1997) 95mins
Adapted from Pat McCabe's modern classic and Booker nominated novel of the same name. The film charts the descent of the menacing and unhinged Francie Brady through family disaster, friendless isolation and to retribution against the symbol of all his troubles. Neil Jordan deftly directs excellent performances from young Owens, Stephen Rea, Aisling O'Sullivan.
Adapted from Pat McCabe's modern classic and Booker nominated novel of the same name. The film charts the descent of the menacing and unhinged Francie Brady through family disaster, friendless isolation and to retribution against the symbol of all his troubles. Neil Jordan deftly directs excellent performances from young Owens, Stephen Rea, Aisling O'Sullivan.