Irish language feature film ‘Aithrí’ to premiere on TG4 this Easter
Date Posted: April 10, 2019
Derry-based film maker Tom Collins’ star-studded, Irish language feature film, ‘Aithrí/Penance’ is to have its television premiere on TG4 this Easter.
Shot in Derry & Donegal and inspired by a short story from Pádraic Ó Conaire, ‘Aithrí/Penance’ tells the story of priest EOIN O’DONNELL, played by ‘Love/Hate’ star Peter Coonan, who recruits impressionable teenager ANTAINE to fight the British in 1916. Fifty years later violence travels full circle when seasoned gunman Antaine returns seeking vengeance.
The stellar cast includes Barry Barnes (Reign of Fire, Michael Collins), stage legend Barry McGovern (Braveheart, The General), Gerard McSorley (Omagh, Veronica Guerin, Michael Collins), Mimi Carroll (An Klondike/Dominion Creek, I, Dolours), Terry Byrne (Game of Thrones, Veronica Guerin). Tony Devlin (Hart’s War, Band of Brothers) and Dara Devaney (Murdair Mhám Trasna, An Klondike), alongside rising star Diona Doherty (Derry Girls, The Butchering) and newcomer Padhraig Parkinson.
Produced by Derry based DeFacto Films and Edwina Forkin’s, Zanzibar Films, ‘Aithrí/Penance’, is produced and directed by Collins and co-written with Greg Ó Braonáin. Collins’ previous credits include ‘Kings’, ‘An Bronntannas’ and ‘An Béal Bocht’.
Speaking after the announcement of the TG4 screening, Tom Collins says:
‘The screening of the film on TG4 offers the audience a chance to engage with a story about characters in an extraordinary situation, as they deal with the historic roots of today’s partition’.
Pól Brennan of ‘Clannad’ fame composed and arranged the atmospheric soundtrack. The renowned cinematographer Ciarán Tanham was Director of Photography and ‘Aithrí’ was edited by Dermot Diskin.
Producer Edwina Forkin of Zanzibar Films says:
“Great to see Tom Collins’ epic film ‘Aithrí/Penance’ come to life. We are indebted to the people of Donegal and Derry who worked with us to bring this story to screen and provided the amazing back drop to this wonderful script. Thanks to our financiers and wonderful cast and crew for their commitment and support.”
Shot in Derry and Donegal the film is supported by TG4, BAI, Fís Éireann (Irish Film Board), the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Northern Ireland Screen and Section 481.
TG4 Commissioning Editor, Máire Ní Chonláin says:
“TG4 is delighted to be screening the TV premiere of ‘Aithrí’ this Easter. This was a very ambitious project, with a wonderful cast and crew. Taking inspiration from Ireland’s challenging history and giving stories a contemporary twist has always been part of TG4’s ‘Súil Eile’, or alternative view on Irish life and this gripping film achieves that admirably”.
Áine Walsh, Head of Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund said:
“Following screenings at film festivals in London, Chicago and Galway I am pleased that TG4 viewers will now get the opportunity to enjoy ‘Aithrí’, an ambitious period thriller with a great cast. Irish language drama production is always challenging, even more so when multiple locations and time periods are involved, as in this project. Northern Ireland Screen and the ILBF were delighted to support the development and production of this film alongside our partners.”
Michael O’Keeffe, BAI Chief Executive, said:
“Aithrí has been well received by cinema and festival audiences alike and we are very pleased that it will now be enjoyed by TG4 viewers over the Easter weekend. The BAI has provided funding support for this feature length drama under Sound & Vision, a BAI Broadcasting Funding Scheme.”
Screen Ireland, Chief Executive James Hickey adds:
“Investment and support for Irish language content is a key part of Screen Ireland’s slate and we hope TG4 audiences enjoy this film from award-winning Derry filmmaker Tom Collins.”
‘Aithrí/Penance’ can be seen on TG4 this Easter Saturday, 20th April, at 8.55pm on TG4.
Fadscannán Gaeilge ‘Aithrí’ le taispeáint den chéad uair ar TG4 faoi Cháisc
Tá ‘Aithrí’, fadscannán Gaeilge de chuid Tom Collins atá lonnaithe i nDoire, le taispeáint den chéad uair ar an teilifís ar TG4 faoi Cháisc.
Scéal é ‘Aithrí’ atá bunaithe ar ghearrscéal de chuid Phádraic Uí Chonaire faoi shagart darb ainm Eoin O’Donnell, arb é Peter Coonan ó ‘Love/Hate’ atá sa bpáirt, a ghríosann fear óg darb ainm Antaine le dul chun cogaidh leis an mBreatain i 1916. Ach téann roth mór an tsaoil thart agus leathchéad bliain ina dhiaidh filleann Antaine le díoltas a fháil.
I measc na cléire tá Barry Barnes (Reign of Fire, Michael Collins), an t-aisteoir mór stáitse Barry McGovern (Braveheart, The General), Gerard McSorley (Omagh, Veronica Guerin, Michael Collins), Mimi Carroll (An Klondike/Dominion Creek, I, Dolours), Terry Byrne (Game of Thrones, Veronica Guerin). Tony Devlin (Hart’s War, Band of Brothers) agus Dara Devaney (Murdair Mhám Trasna, An Klondike), chomh maith le Diona Doherty (Derry Girls, The Butchering) agus Padhraig Parkinson.
Arna léiriú ag DeFacto Films i nDoire agus Zanzibar Films le Edwina Forkin, scannán é ‘Aithrí’, arna léiriú agus arna stiúradh ag Collins agus a chomhscríobh Greg Ó Braonáin. I measc saothar eile Collins bhí ‘Kings’, ‘An Bronntanas’ agus ‘An Béal Bocht’.
I ndiaidh an fhógra maidir leis an scannán a bheith á thaispeáint ar TG4 dúirt Tom Collins:
‘Tabharfaidh an taispeántas ar TG4 deis don lucht féachana scannán a fheiceáil faoi charachtair atá i gcás ar leith, iad ag iarraidh dul i ngleic le fréamhacha na staire arb iad is cúis le deighilt an lae inniu’.
Is é Pól Brennan ó ‘Clannad’ a chum agus a chóirigh an ceol don scannán. Is é an cineamatagrafaí aitheanta Ciarán Tanham an Stiúrthóir Fótagrafaíochta agus is é Dermot Diskin a bhí i mbun eagarthóireachta ar ‘Aithrí’.
Maidir leis an scannán, dúirt an Léiritheoir Edwina Forkin ó Zanzibar Films:
“Is iontach an rud é mórscannán Tom Collins ‘Aithrí’ a fheiceáil ar an scáileán. Táimid faoi chomaoin ag muintir Dhún na nGall agus Dhoire, na contaetha ina bhfuil an scannán bunaithe, a d’oibrigh linn chun an scéal seo a thabhairt chuig an scáileán. Gabhaimid buíochas leis an dream a chuir maoiniú ar fáil, leis an gcliar agus leis an gcriú as a gcúnamh agus chomh dílis is a bhí siad.
I nDoire agus i nDún na nGall a rinneadh scannánú ar an scannán a fuair cúnamh ó TG4, BAI, Fís Éireann (Bord Scannán na hÉireann), An Ciste Craoltóireachta Gaeilge, Scáileán Thuaisceart Éireann agus Alt 481.
Dúirt Eagarthóir Coimisiúnaithe TG4, Máire Ní Chonláin:
“Tá ríméad ar TG4 an scannán ‘Aithrí’ a thaispeáint den chéad uair ar an teilifís faoi Cháisc. Ba togra uaillmhianach a bhí ann a raibh cliar agus criú den chéad scoth ag obair air. Glactar inspioráid ó stair chasta na hÉireann agus cuirtear casadh nua-aimseartha ann – bhí sin riamh ag baint le ‘Súil Eile’ TG4, léargas eile a thabhairt ar shaol na hÉireann agus déantar sin go paiteanta sa scannán fíorspéisiúil seo”.
Dúirt Áine Walsh, Ceann Chiste Craoltóireachta Gaeilge Scáileán Thuaisceart Éireann:
“I ndiaidh an scannán a thaispeáint ag féilte scannán i Londain, Chicago agus Gaillimh tá ríméad orm go mbeidh deis anois ag lucht féachana TG4 sult a bhaint as ‘Aithrí’, scéinséir uaillmhianach a bhfuil cliar den chéad scoth ann. Bíonn a chuid dúshlán féin ag baint le drámaíocht Ghaeilge a léiriú agus bíonn sin níos mó fós nuair a bhíonn roinnt suíomhanna agus tréimhsí ama i gceist mar a bhí sa tionscadal seo. Bhí ríméad ar Scáileán Thuaisceart Éireann agus an ILBF tacú le forbairt agus léiriú an scannáin seo in éineacht lenár bpáirtithe.
Dúirt Michael O’Keeffe, Príomhfheidhmeannach an BAI:
“Glacadh le fonn le ‘Aithrí’ i bpictiúrlanna agus ag féilte agus tá ríméad orainn go mbeidh sé anois le feiceáil ag lucht féachana TG4 deireadh seachtaine na Cásca. Chuir an BAI cúnamh maoinithe ar fáil don fhad-dráma seo faoin scéim Fís agus Fuaim, Scéim Maoinithe de chuid an BAI.”
Dúirt Príomhfheidhmeannach Fís Éireann, James Hickey:
“Tá infheistíocht agus tacaíocht d’ábhar Gaeilge ina chuid thábhachtach d’obair Fís Éireann agus tá súil againn go mbainfidh lucht féachana TG4 sult as an scannán seo ón déantóir scannán as Doire, Tom Collins, fear a bhfuil gradaim buaite aige.”
Beidh ‘Aithrí’ le feiceáil ar TG4 Satharn Cásca, an 20 Aibreán, ag 8.55pm.
