Media advisory/ Diary note
Wednesday 2 June 2010
A leading contender in this year’s ICCL Human Rights Film Awards takes viewers deep into Gaza to show the abject misery of the 1.5 million Palestinians forced to live behind the blockade.
The documentary, Gaza: Post-Operation Cast Lead was made by Irish Director Dearbhla Glynn who succeeded in entering Gaza in spring last year. Speaking in Dublin today, Dearbhla Glynn said:
“I made this film to raise awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They are completely isolated, alienated and, even given recent events, feel that the world has forgotten about them. I hope that the film will be seen by many people in Ireland, both at the ICCL’s film awards and online”.
ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said:
“This is one of five outstanding human rights films which will be screened by the ICCL at the Light House Cinema on 17 June. They use the power of film to show how birthplace, age, health or sexual preference can prevent people from enjoying the rights to which they are entitled.”
The other shortlisted films are:
o Midnight , With No Pain – Daniel Bevan (Director): This independently produced Irish drama by Daniel Bevan follows terminally-ill Arthur as he struggles for control over his final days with the help of his old friend Jack.
o Tomato Soup – Paul O’Brien (Director):This charming stop-motion animation by Paul O’Brien tells the tale of an elderly man who is banished from the family dinner table for being a sloppy eater. The film neatly deals with the prejudices that older people face on a daily basis, sometimes even from their loved ones.
o Out of Mind – Kate McCarroll (Director): Out of Mind explores human rights issues surrounding mental health in Ireland. The film follows the experiences of Caroline Mary Murphy, who suffered mental illness and underwent Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT).
o If You Like it Then You Should Be Able to Put a Ring on It – Cara Holmes (Director): If You Like it Then You Should Be Able to Put a Ring on It deals with the right to marriage equality.
ENDS/
For more information please contact:
Walter Jayawardene
Campaigns & Communications Officer
Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL)
9-13 Blackhall Place
Dublin 7
Mob: +353 87 9981574
E-mail walter.jayawardene@iccl.ie
Notes to the editor:
• The ICCL Human Rights Film Awards is Ireland’s first and only short film awards dedicated to human rights.
• The shortlist is available to view online on the competition website: www.humanrightsfilmawards.org.
• The shortlist will be the subject of an exclusive Gala Awards screening at the Light House Cinema on the evening of 17 June 2010, where the Jury will announce the winning film (Diary details below).
Diary Information for Gala Awards screening on 17 June:
What : An exclusive and star-studded screening of the ICCL Human Rights Film Awards’ five outstanding shortlisted human rights films and the award of the Grand Prize.
When: 7pm, 17 June 2010
Where: The Light House Cinema, Smithfield, Dublin 7
Who: Awards Jury members attending include:
Victoria Smurfit, (Actress – Ballykissangel; About a Boy; Trial & Retribution); Kirsten Sheridan, (Director of August Rush, Disco Pigs and Oscar-nominated co-writer of In America); Tomm Moore, (Oscar-nominated director of The Secret of Kells); Senator David Norris; Gráinne Humphreys (director of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival); James Morris (chair of the Irish Film Board); Professor Bill Schabas (director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway)
Also attending: celebrities from TV and Film, the five shortlisted filmmakers.
Photocall details to follow. For further details please contact Walter Jayawardene at the details above.