2006 San Francisco Irish Film Festival

FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT

Six Shooter 7 pm — winner of an ACADEMY AWARD for best live action short.
Director Martin McDonagh

Wednesday/6:30PM – Doors Open
MICKYBO & ME starts at 7PM
98 mins
Two young boys escape the confines of their urban world by becoming their heroes, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, fleeing an imploding city for the freedom of the Australian outback. 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. Starring John Joe McNeill as Mickybo, Niall Wright and Jonjo and Julie Walters as Mickybo’s Ma. VIEW TRAILER
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Purchase a ticket (double feature or single ticket) at TICKETWEB

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Short

Armagh Gothic
Ben Jones – 5mins
Beware the Irish Farm is a dark place. When a freak accident, involving a sheep, disables a salesman’s car outside an isolated farm in the Armagh countryside, the friendly old couple that occupy the farm invite him to stay for the night. Everything seems perfectly normal, save for the husband’s constant tapping on the floor with a broom handle. When the electricity cuts out at breakfast the salesman shortly becomes all too aware of the reason for the husband’s constant tapping.

Wednesday/9PM
Winter’s End
98 mins
A compelling Irish thriller which tells the story of Jack Davis who parks his car in a farmer’s field overnight as he attends an outdoor rock event with his friend Ben. He returns the following morning alone, the worse for wear to pickup his car only to find it’s been stolen. He meets the owner of the field, Henry Rose and is invited back to his remote house to phone for help. Once there, Jack is overpowered by the farmer and chained up in a shed. The farmer’s oppressed half sister Amy befriends Jack and tends to his needs, but stops short of calling the police knowing this would spell doom for all involved. As the story progresses we become aware of Henry’s insane plan for Jack and share his fear as he realises that his very life hangs in the balance. View Trailer

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IRISH HORROR NIGHT
Thursday/6:45PM
Opening with film director Stephen Bradley
Boy Eats Girl starts at 7PM
77 mins
A comedy horror about a teenage date that goes disastrously wrong, bringing bloody mayhem to Dublin suburbia.
Directed by Stephen Bradley, starring Samantha Mumba, David Leon,
Laurence Kinlan, Tadhg Murphy, Sara James, Mark Huberman, Deirdre O’Kane and Bryan Murray.
If you like the thought of a Dublin suburb being caught in the grip of soulless flesh-eating zombies then Boy Eats Girl will appeal to your appetite. However, Boy Eats Girl is a bit of fun and not an Art movie.VIEW TRAILER
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Purchase a ticket (double feature or single ticket) at TICKETWEB

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Thursday/9PM
Isolation
94 mins
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. Trailer
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Purchase a ticket (double feature or single ticket) at TICKETWEB

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SF Irish Film Festival Schedule – March 8, 9, 10 2006
at the ROXIE CINEMA – 16th at Valencia – 7&9PM
and
La Pe̱a, Berkeley on Sunday March 12th Р3&6PM
Festival Information: 415-495-7380
Public Parking Garage: There is a Public Parking Garage at 16th on Hoff Street (between 16th & 17th and Mission & Valencia) – One block from the Roxie. Rates: $2 Per hour after 6PM.
Public Transportation There is a BART Station at 16th and Mission – one and a half blocks from the Roxie and numerous MUNI busses serving Mission Street.
Also note that there are tons of very good restaurants along the Valencia Street corridor including The Phoenix Bar & Irish Gathering House at Valencia and 19th Street.

Festival Closing night

Friday/7PM
Magners ‘N’ Shorts
A complimentary Magners for every attendee and award-winning shorts.

Six Shooter 7 pm — winner of an ACADEMY AWARD for best live action short.
Director Martin McDonagh

Useless Dog
A witty documentary about an inept but lovable dog. – 5 mins

 

 

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Penguin Space Program
Archive Footage form the 1960s documenting the early attempts by penguins at vertical penguin propulsion in their endeavour for penguin space flight. – 3 mins
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Colder
A blizzard descends on an unsuspecting couple leading an isolated existence in the wilderness. – 14 mins.

 

 

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George
A black comic twisted fairytale about a young man cursed by misfortune who searches for his happy ending. Director by Rory Bresnihan, John Butler, Producer:Aviv Corrigan. – 13 mins

 

 

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FÍORGHAEL
Ever get the feeling someone is talking about you …? A short comedy film about language politics in modern Ireland. Director: Macdara Vallely, Producer: Tamara Anghie. -3 min

 

 

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HOME
70 – mins

A young man from Dublin reflects on recently immigrating to New York City. Exploring such universal themes as nostalgia, the journey and the concept of home, the film includes interviews with ordinary New Yorkers, immigrants and a host of prominent New Yorkers. Woody Allen, David Amram, Aramnd DiMele, Pete Hamill, Elaine Kaufman, Fran Lebowitz, Frank and Malachy McCourt, Alfred Molina, Mike Myers, Liam Neeson, Drew Nieporent, Rosie Perez, Colin Quinn, and Susan Sarandon all share their great love for the city they call home. Home is a timely film that reaches the heart of the city and it’s people today.

View Tralier

Purchase a ticket (double feature or single ticket) at TICKETWEB

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Frontline World Rough Cut: Northern Ireland: An Uneasy Peace

13 mins

An Uneasy Peace has settled over Northern Ireland’s catholic and protestant communities. Last summer the IRA decommissioned its weapons and the British withdrew their troops from streets. Many people are working hard to rebuild their communities after 36 years of violence. An organization called “Healing Through Remembering” is endeavoring to build cross community understanding by getting the both catholic and protestant victims of the Troubles to share their stories with each other. Will the peace last?

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Friday – 9:15PM
The Mighty Celt

78 mins
Donal lives with his single mother Kate (Gillian Anderson) in Belfast. In efforts to help make ends meet, Donal works long hard hours after school for the local dog trainer, ’Good’ Joe. It is obvious after time that Donal has a 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. Starring Robert Carlyle and Gillian Anderson. VIEW TRAILER
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Purchase a ticket (double feature or single ticket) at TICKETWEB

La Pe̱a Cultural Center Р3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
Shows at 3PM and 6PM – Tickets: $10 per show / $15 double feature
Senior, Handicapped and Student discounts at the door. No advance ticket sales.
NOTE:The Starry Plough Рa great Irish Pub Рis right next door to La Pe̱a and their kitchen opens from 4PM to 10PM on Sundays (sandwiches, burgers, fries and pizza). ALSO after the 6PM show Рthere will be the usual 8PM gathering of traditional musicians. So there you have it: Food, Irish Film, Irish Music and Irish Drink!

3PM – Short Films
Award Winning Short Irish Films

Useless Dog
5 mins
A witty documentary about an inept but lovable dog
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George
13 mins
A black comic twisted fairytale about a young man cursed by misfortune who searches for his happy ending.
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FÍORGHAEL
3 min
Ever get the feeling someone is talking about you …?
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“BIG PLANE SMALL AXE (The Mis-Trials of Mary Kelly.”3

In January 2003 the American build-up for the attack on Iraq was intensifying daily. Shannon airport had become a refuelling stopover for war. Mary Kelly, newly returned from hair-raising experiences as a volunteer nurse in Palestine, threw herself into the anti-war movement, but soon came to believe that it was not enough.

I felt I had to do something else, and shat-ter through their lies… I just did not want those planes going there, so I attacked one of them. 2005| 51mins | DVD | Colour
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HOME
70 – mins
A young man from Dublin reflects on recently immigrating to New York City. Exploring such universal themes as nostalgia, the journey and the concept of home, the film includes interviews with ordinary New Yorkers, immigrants and a host of prominent New Yorkers. Woody Allen, David Amram, Aramnd DiMele, Pete Hamill, Elaine Kaufman, Fran Lebowitz, Frank and Malachy McCourt, Alfred Molina, Mike Myers, Liam Neeson, Drew Nieporent, Rosie Perez, Colin Quinn, and Susan Sarandon all share their great love for the city they call home. Home is a timely film that reaches the heart of the city and it’s people today.

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6PM

The Mighty Celt
78 mins
Donal lives with his single mother Kate (Gillian Anderson) in Belfast. In efforts to help make ends meet, Donal works long hard hours after school for the local dog trainer, ’Good’ Joe. It is obvious after time that Donal has a 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. Starring Robert Carlyle and Gillian Anderson.

You Looking at Me?

This lively new drama tells the story of Mei, Kenny, Ciaran and Niamh – four young people coping with a tangle of friendships, family life and local politics in present-day Belfast.

Festival Schedule Ends