Author: Joe

BIFFL 2021: 12th Annual Film Festival

The Irish Club of Luxembourg, together with G-Media sarl, is delighted that no less than 13 feature films from Ireland, plus a short film showcase and a film in the Irish-language, have been included in this year’s 12th annual British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg to be held over ten days from Thursday 16 September until Saturday 25 September 2021, with a hybrid format this year and In-Cinema screenings held under CovidCheck. 

The film festival provides a unique opportunity for viewers to experience a wide selection of new films from Britain and Ireland. The festival will screen 21 feature-length films (21 In-Cinema and 9 online (5 online-only)), from a cross-section of genres and representing mainly independent cinema, as well as some short films. 

The British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg will have screenings across two venues, Ciné Utopia in Limpertsberg and the Cinémathèque in Luxembourg-ville, as well as online, and will open with the screening of “Herself” am Irish drama set in the background of the housing crisis, and will close with the British-American co-production “The Current War”, a drama set in the world of innovation and energy. All but one films will be receiving their Luxembourg premiers during the festival, with the other having its English-language premier.

For more detailed information on the programme, please visit www.bifilmseason.lu.

Advertisement

St Patrick’s Day event – Online Guided Tour of Kilmainham Gaol

The Irish Club of Luxembourg (ICL), in partnership with the Ireland-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ILCC) and the Luxembourg branch of Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann, is organising a unique St Patrick’s event this year: in light of the ongoing government restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s St Patrick’s event will be an online guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol (http://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie/).

Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for Dublin; it closed its doors in 1924. Today the building symbolises the tradition of militant and constitutional nationalism from the rebellion of 1798 to the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Many Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867 and the 1916 Easter Rising, as well as members of the Irish republican movement during the War of Independence and Civil War, were imprisoned and in some cases executed in the prison by the orders of the UK Government. Some of the most famous political and military leaders in Irish history were imprisoned there, including Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart Parnell and Eamon de Valera.

The Gaol also played a role during the harsh Famine times. It held thousands of ordinary men, women and children whose crimes ranged from petty offences such as stealing food to more serious crimes such as murder or rape. Convicts from many parts of Ireland were held here for long periods before being transported to Australia. It is now a museum run by the Office of Public Works, an agency of the Government of Ireland.

The 40-minute online guided tour will be presented by David O’Neill, professional tour guide at Kilmainham Gaol, and will be followed by a Q&A session. The presentation will cover various aspects of its history, including conditions at the gaol, political and social aspects, as well as children imprisoned there.

Registration to attend this online event is free-of-charge and can be done online at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApdOyurDsqHtYIpAIjs5gjpmUNh39iWbEo until 16 March at 18:00. Connection instructions / guidelines on how to join the call, including the Zoom link, will be provided. Please note that the link provided is non-transferrable and may only be used by one person.

If you have any queries, please email Geoff THOMPSON, Irish Club President) at gwt@pt.lu

 

BIFFL to Screen 2 Irish Films over St Patrick’s Week

The British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg (BIFFL) is organising two online screenings during the St Patrick’s week in mid-March.

The film festival, which started in 2010, ran a highly-successful in-cinema festival last September despite COVID-19 restrictions, and is currently planning to hold a hybrid festival this year, provisionally from 17-25 September. Over the past few years, it has also organised the screening of one or more Irish films in March.

The two films being screened next month are as follows:

– “The Winter Lake” (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9778348) (Ireland, Canada), directed by Phil Sheerin and starring Emma Mackey (Sex Education (tv series)), Anson Boon (1917; Sulphur and White), Charlie Murphy (Peaky Blinders (tv series)) and Michael McElhatton (Game of Thrones; Justice League; The Last Right). Drama/thriller, 92 mins. Synopsis: When Holly’s dark secret is accidentally uncovered by her new emotionally unstable neighbour Tom, they are pulled into a violent confrontation with her father, who will do anything to keep the secret hidden. Shot in Sligo. Geo-blocked for Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium and France.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP7YpJeKDFA

– “Wildfire” (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9180460) (Ireland, UK) , directed by Cathy Brady and starring Nika McGuigan (Philomena; The Secret Scripture; Mammal; Malicious Intent; Traders), Nora-Jane Noone (Brooklyn; The Magdalene Sisters; Brand New-U) and Kate Dickie (Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi; Balance, Not Symmetry). Drama, 85 mins. Synopsis: Inseparable sisters raised in a small town on the Irish border, Lauren and Kelly’s lives were shattered with the mysterious death of their mother. Left to pick up the pieces after her sister abruptly disappeared, Lauren is suddenly confronted with the family’s dark and traumatic past when Kelly returns home after being reported missing for a whole year. The intense sisterhood reignited, Kelly’s desire to unearth their history is not welcomed by all in the small town, as rumours and malice spread like wildfire, threatening to push them over the edge. Shot in Donegal. Geo-blocked for Luxembourg and Belgium.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSuf36TKyrk

The films can be viewed any time during the St Patrick’s week, i.e. from Monday 15 March (09:00) to Monday 22 March (18:00) inclusive.

Tickets are €9/film screening. Each ticket allows the viewer to have more than one person viewing the screening online, unlike in-cinema screenings when a ticket is just for one person. Advance tickets go on sale on Wednesday 3 March at 10:00 at https://www.ifiinternational.ie/page/biffl/ (click on “Create Account” and follow the instructions on screen).

For more details please refer to the attached press release.

BIFFL-St-Patricks-2021 Press Release EN

The British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg 2020

The full programme for the 11th annual British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg (BIFFL) has been announced and includes no less than eight (8) Irish (co-)productions, of which two are in Irish (with EN sub-titles). All 8 films will have post-screening Q&As, with 7 of these with the director/actors joining online, and just the Luxembourg co-production having the director, co-producer and members of the cast in attendance.

The festival brochure/programme is available to be posted to you FREE-OF-CHARGE – just send an email to geoff@bifilmseason.lu with your name and address.

IRISH (CO-)PRODUCTIONS

  • Sat 19 Sep @ Ciné Utopia @ 19:00: A Bump Along the Way (NI, 95 mins) by Shelly Love (Q&A with producer Louise Gallagher and actor Bronagh Gallagher)
  • Sun 20 Sep @ Ciné Utopia @ 16:30: The Tribe of Gods (IE, FR, 92 mins) by Loïc Jourdain – in Irish with EN sub-titles (Q&A with film-maker Loïc Jourdain)
  • Mon 21 Sep @ Cinémathèque @ 20:30: The Last Right (IE, 106 mins) by Aoife Crehan (Q&A with director/writer Aoife Crehan)
  • Tue 22 Sep @ Cinémathèque @ 20:30: The Castle (IE, LT, 115 mins) by Lina Luzyte (Q&A with director/co-writer Lina Luzyte)
  • Wed 23 Sep @ Cinémathèque @ 20:30: Arracht (IE, 86 mins) by Tom Sullivan – in Irish with EN sub-titles (Q&A with actor Seán T. Ó Meallaigh)
  • Thurs 24 Sep @ Cinémathèque @ 20:30: Bruno (IE, EN, 94 mins) by Karl Golden (Q&A with actor Diarmaid Murtagh)
  • Fri 25 Sep @ Cinémathèque @ 20:30: Breaking Ice (IE, 70 mins) by Jason Branagan (Q&A with director Jason Branagan)
  • Sat 26 Sep @ Kinepolis-Kirchberg @ 19:00: Awards & The Racer (IE, LU, BE, 97 mins) by Kieron J. Walsh (Q&A with co-producer Jesus Gonsalez and director Kieron J. Walsh.

 

BRITISH (CO-)PRODUCTIONS

  • Tue 8 Sep @ Ciné Utopia @ 19:00: The Personal History of David Copperfield (EN, US, 119 mins) by Armando Iannucci – a number of tickets for this Avant-Premier which is outside the main festival are available
  • Fri 18 Sep @ Ciné Utopia @ 19:00: The High Note (EN, US, CH, 113 mins) by Nisha Ganatra
  • Fri 18 Sep @ Ciné Utopia @ 21:30: Strange But True (EN, CA, 95 mins) by Rowan Athale
  • Sat 19 Sep @ Ciné Utopia @ 16:30: Sulphur & White (EN, 121 mins) by Julian Jarrold (Q&A with director Julian Jarrold)
  • Sat 19 Sep @ Ciné Utopia @ 21:30: I See You (EN, US, 96 mins) by Adam Randall
  • Sun 20 Sep @ Ciné Utopia @ 19:30: The Keeper (EN, DE, 120 mins) by Marcus H. Rosenmüller

Tickets cost €9 (plus admin fee) from www.luxembourg-ticket.lu,  with Season Special Tickets (€35 for 5 films) and Ticket Bundles (€15 for 2 films; €20 for 3 films) available from tel: 470895-1. Some tickets may be available for purchase at the door of some screenings, but cannot be guaranteed.

In addition to the screenings:

  • an Online Seminar entitled “Short Films: Business or Pleasure” takes place on Wednesday 23 September @ 18:00 – 19:00 (free entry; in collaboration with the Ireland-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ILCC) – register by email: info@ilcc.lu); and
  • a Film Quiz is being organised on Wednesday 14 October @ 19:00, online (tables of 2-4, €15/person) – register by email: geoff@bifilmseason.lu

The British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg (BIFFL) is organised by G-Media sarl with the support of the Irish Club of Luxembourg.

See www.bifilmseason.lu  for full details (synopses, trailers, events, etc.).

TABLE QUIZ – 16th October

The Ireland Stand of the International Bazar will hold its annual Table Quiz in Hollerich on 16th October 2019. Admission: € 12 (includes 1 drink)

 Table Reservations:   

Annette Power      Tel.  33 98 84 — annettepower@gmail.com

Gerri Egan           Tel.  43 26 36 — lawlor51g@gmail.com

Alison Lavender   lavender@pt.lu

Ireland’s Top Comedienne to Perform in Luxembourg

Following on from the success of last year’s production of “Tom Crean, Antarctic Explorer”, the Irish Club of Luxembourg and Comhaltas Luxembourg asbl are combining forces again to bring Ireland’s top comic, actress and comedienne Deirdre O’Kane to Luxembourg for her new stand-up routine “A Line of O’Kane” on Friday 11 & Saturday 12 October at 19:30 at the Altrimenti Cultural Centre.

 

Tickets €20 from the Luxembourg Ticket office

“Deirdre O’Kane has really hit her stride. Footloose following a glittering turn on Dancing with the Stars and revelling in her return to stand-up, don’t miss Deirdre at her hilarious best in a straight-talking look at twelve frantic months in the life of this tango-tripping, family-minding, telly-making, house-moving, comedy dynamo.” 

Warm-up: Sundeep Bhardwaj, fresh from his one-man show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival

 

10th anniversary British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg

The 10th anniversary British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg is taking place from this Friday 13 September until the following Sunday week, 22 September 2019, and features 16 feature films and a shorts programme (Irish films).

Tickets cost €9 from www.luxembourg-ticket.lu, with a Season Special Ticket at €30 (for 5 screenings), tel: 470895-1.

This year there are six Irish feature films, with the supernatural comedy “Extra Ordinary” opening the festival on Friday evening – the same evening as it opens in Ireland.

Synopses of the Irish Films:

– Extra Ordinary (supernatural comedy) on Fri 13 Sep @ Kinepolis Kirchberg @ 19:00: An Irish comedy featuring a sweet & lonely driving instructor with supernatural abilities that allow her to communicate with spirits; however, she is reluctant to use her “talents” as her father died the last time she did. When a widower contacts her pleading for help as he is haunted by his dead wife’s spirit, things take a sinister turn when an aging rock star seeks a virgin sacrifice. Hilarious with twists, turns, ectoplasm and haunted wheelie bins. See https://www.luxembourg-ticket.lu/en/8/eid,24349/extra-ordinary.html

– Rosie (drama) on Sat 14 Sep @ Ciné Utopia @ 19:00 (written by Roddy Doyle): tells the story of a mother trying to protect her family after their landlord sells their rented home and they become homeless. See https://www.luxembourg-ticket.lu/en/8/eid,24350/rosie.html

– Alcock & Brown, the True Story (documentary) on Thurs 19 Sep @ Cinémathèque @ 18:30: 14 June 1919 will remain one of the most important dates in aviation, when John Alcock (from Manchester) and Arthur Brown (from Glasgow) became the first to fly non-stop across the Atlantic, from Newfoundland to Clifden in Ireland. The film recalls the early days of aviation and how the achievement came about. Was screened in Clifden for the centenary celebrations this June. Truly fascinating. The director will attend. See https://www.luxembourg-ticket.lu/en/8/eid,24359/alcock-and-brown-the-true-story.html

– The Man Who Wanted To Fly (documentary) on Tue 17 Sep @ Cinémathèque @ 20:30:: Five years in the making, this is a story of never stopping believing in dreams. Bobby Coote, now in his 80s, left school at 13 and spends most of his time fixing clocks and making violins, but he has never lost sight of his lifelong dream to fly. He organises a runway in a field and builds a hangar. Now he must buy a plane with his life savings…  all the time when his brother thinks the whole idea is mad. A fascinating insight into many layers of Irish rural life, but Bobby is determined to get airborne, despite many setbacks. The director will attend. See https://www.luxembourg-ticket.lu/en/8/eid,24360/the-man-who-wanted-to-fly.html

Note: Documentary Double Bill (€15 for the 2 screenings; with a surprise for all) for “Alcock & Brown, the True Story” and “The Man Who Wanted To Fly”. Tel: 470895-1.

– Educating Rita (drama) on Thurs 19 Sep @ Cinémathèque @ 20:30: Cinémathèque’s Screening (Vintage Print). Shot in and around Trinity College Dublin, set in London; 27 year-old hairdresser Rita decides to complete her basic education before having children as desired by her husband. She joins an open university literature course and is tutored by a middle-aged alcoholic and debauched professor from the upper-class whose life has left him emotionally drained, without self-esteem. Rita’s humour and determination to improve herself is contagious; she gives motivation to Frank who helps prepare her for the exams to join the university… See https://www.luxembourg-ticket.lu/en/8/eid,24372/educating-rita.html

– Never Grow Old (western; IE/LU/BE/FR) on Fri 20 Sep @ Cinémathèque @ 20:30: An Irish undertaker profits when outlaws take over a peaceful American frontier town, but his family comes under threat as the death toll rises. See https://www.luxembourg-ticket.lu/en/8/eid,24374/never-grow-old.html

– Irish Shorts Programme on Sun 22 Sep @ Kinepolis-Kirchberg @ 13:30, preceded by a Walking Brunch at 12:00 (€40 includes film ticket). The shorts programme includes, amongst others, “Triúr a Bádh” (in Irish with EN sub-titles) with Máire Ní Nuanaín (90 years old who will be in attendance). See https://www.luxembourg-ticket.lu/en/8/eid,24440/shorts-programme-%2b-walking-brunch.html (brunch & short films) & https://www.luxembourg-ticket.lu/en/8/eid,24376/shorts-programme.html  (short films only)

For full details, see www.bifilmseason.lu,  ticketing online at www.luxembourg-ticket.lu

 

Trip to Tenneville – Sunday 8 September 2019

Trip to Tenneville – unveiling of plaque to Matthias Barnewall

We are organising a bus to attend the unveiling of the plaque and will put on an exhibition of Irish music and dance.

If you are interested in joining the trip, can you please contact us at comhaltas.lu@gmail.com to reserve a place.

Tenneville 2019

Tenneville is a village in the Ardennes, midway between Luxembourg and Namur on the N4 that was previously the main road to Bruxelles. Less than two kilometres away is the site where the Battle of Ortheuville took place on 10 September 1692. It was a minor confrontation that was part of the Nine Years War that lasted from 1688 to 1697 between France and a European Coalition of Dutch, German and British armies. General D’Harcourt led a force of 3,500 men including Irish cavalry against a similar sized force of Germans from Brandenburg. It was a brief encounter, Harcourt ordered his cavalry to charge before the Germans had established their lines and they routed the enemy. From an Irish perspective the victory had a bitter taste as amongst the fallen was Matthias Barnewell, Lord of Trimleston, county Meath. Aged only 22, he was already a veteran who had been present at the Siege of Limerick where he was an exchanged hostage and who had left Ireland with Sarsfield and 20,000 other soldiers after the infamous Treaty.

Barnewall was buried at the Church of St Gertrude in Tenneville and a large tombstone was laid to commemorate him. The belfry of the Church had been refurbished in 1682 and the Church was a new edifice at that stage. In the centuries that followed, the church fell to neglect and was finally deconsecrated in 1957. The church was classified as a national monument in 1985.

On Sunday 8 September, as part of the National Heritage day celebrations, a plaque will be unveiled to explain the significance of the tombstone. From a local perspective, the tombstone highlights how that part of Belgium was once the front line of a pan-European conflict. From an Irish perspective, the tombstone represents the start of a terrible decline as the young officer that died was part of an elite who left Ireland in the hope of returning to reclaim their country. Instead, the Wild Geese were to fight and fall at many battles around Europe. Sarsfield too died a year later and was buried at Huy.