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YOUNG IRISH FILM-MAKERS have big hopes for the future – and particularly for the industry in Ireland.
The latest graduates from the National Film School (NFS) at IADT recently showcased their final year productions to the public and to industry professionals.
The film selection includes a vast amount of different genres from drama, documentary and horror to also include one children’s television show concept.
Following the graduate exhibition, the films will now be distributed and entered into a number of festivals in certain categories including Cannes and the Berlin Film Festival 2016.
Last year, production activity for independent film, television drama and the animation sector increased to €195 million – the highest production activity levels on record for the third year running.
This year, the Irish Film Board said it was committed to growing the talent base for the Irish film industry, stating that it is important for the sustainability of a strong film industry.
Children’s television
The only children’s television production to come out of the NFS this year is called “Smart Alley” – written and directed by Christian Daly.
“I was seeing what my daughter and her friends were watching every day on television and there was nothing like it,” said Daly, explaining why he wanted to venture into the world of children’s TV.
“The only thing similar out there, in terms of children learning something, is Sesame Street and Art Attack. At the moment there is no Irish product out there.”
Since showcasing “Smart Alley” at the IFI this weekend, Daly says the feedback has been great, with a few interested parties.
Daly said “Smart Alley” could be broadcast internationally, but it would be great to have it shown on Irish television, stating his hope is that one of the three broadcasting channels would pick it up.
“I think nurturing home-grown talent and making ‘Irish’ television needs to be looked at – there just isn’t enough. I know all my daughter watches is US television. She’s home from school and turns on Nickelodeon straight away. It would be great to see her tuning in to an Irish children’s programme.”
“There needs to be more collaboration between the Irish Film Board and the colleges to ensure that Irish talent is developed here and stays here.”
Christian Daly / Vimeo
Documentary
A film by Hanan Dirya called “Diving Within” is an insightful documentary about a Malaysian woman living in Ireland.
She recounts her story about her life as a Muslim woman who once wore the hijab. However, she now feels the need to integrate more into Irish society and chooses to not wear it anymore.
Marie-Valerie Jeantelot / Vimeo
“I met Sharina at an event and I heard her read a poem out. I thought, ‘this woman is interesting’ and I wanted to know more about her life here.”
Dirya wanted to make a documentary about immigrants in Ireland and decided to tackle the subject of the hi-jab, stating:
“When we see the hi-jab all we see is the material – we never see or think about the woman under it. I wanted to let Sharina speak about how she felt wearing it. I myself am from a Muslim background, but I wanted to see what Irish people would think about Sharina, and why she feels she needs to change her appearance to integrate more into society here.”
Diyra said she would one day like to make a feature documentary and work here in Ireland.
“I would love to see more linking up with the Irish Film Board and the colleges. It has been a tough year for all the graduates – a lot of us have struggled this year. My short documentary had a small budget, which was funded through friends who helped me out. More funding for graduates would be a great.”
Emma Keane produced a touching film “Aquarium”, which is directed by Adrian Moylan, about a father and son who live in a camper van together.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, she said she always wanted to make films about social issues. She commended the actors in her film, stating that just two weeks before production her actors dropped out and the roles had to be recast.
“The scene in the Aquarium was my favourite to shoot. We decided not to let the actors into the aquarium before shooting as we wanted the experience to authentic for the actors.”
She said there are a lot of creative support for young talent, stating that the IFB encourage them to come in or call about any future projects. Keane said she would like to see more financial supports for graduates as renting equipment can be costly.
“You can’t make great films without great equipment”.
“The best thing about the last four years is studying with people I hope I will be working with for the rest of my life. I’d like to think we have unique creative relationships and I would hope to collaborate with them of future projects.
“Denoument” – an emotive short film by Aran Hennessy tells the story of an elderly woman who has died and relives her life.
“I majored in cinematography so I wanted to test my abilities with the camera. I decided to do it with one long take, telling the story of an old woman who has died that goes on a journey through her life in moments in her house.”
“I am hoping it leads to bigger things.”
Hennessy said he wouldn’t mind having to leave Ireland to work.
“When the financial supports dry up here, you can really see it, as the industry becomes stagnant.”
“When I started my degree I didn’t think it would be possible to stay here in Ireland as there wasn’t much going on, but now with the likes of The Vikings, Penny Dreadful and Game of Thrones kicking off here, the industry is coming to Ireland in a big way.”
Here is a flavour of the talent from this year’s graduates:
Marie-Valerie Jeantelot / Vimeo
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The delays result in solicitors creaming it financially…..they will resist any modernisation as the successfully did with proposed conveyancing changes in the past….
@Sean Mac Giolla:
On the nail.
@Sean Mac Giolla: don’t think it does. The solicitor gives their rate before they even apply for the probate so the fee is based on the process of applying and not the time it takes, as far as I’m aware anyway. With my own mothers probate the solicitor gave me her rate before she even applied for it and because the probate went so smoothly she actually took off a large chunk of her fees.
@Sean Mac Giolla: Precisely, they get their tonne of flesh out of exactly everything!
@Sean Mac Giolla: The Troika when in town told the then Government to take on the greedy legal profession but with so many of their family friends and supporters in the game they funked it, so we all pay for their scams and outrageous fees.
@Sean Mac Giolla: Going through process at moment. Three and a half years after death of testator who was my father, who had remarried. The solicitor would not provide copy of will to me for 16 months even though I was a named executor. He wouldn’t take or return calls. In that time monies was withdrawn from an account before probate, even though solicitor had assured me all accounts were frozen.
I would advice someone making a will to get assurances in writing from a solicitor that they will act in a fair and impartial manner. This solicitor has made it clear he represents one executor and only takes instructions from that person. It seems it is at the discretion of a solicitor whether he wants to deal with an executor and can come up with any number of excuses not to expedite the wishes of the testator. This solicitor is an absolute disgrace, and has blatantly lied to the Law Society. I have no faith anything will be decided in my favour by the Law Society it seems a solicitor is above reproach and completely unaccountable. I know I won’t leave a will in the trust of a solicitor, in this instance it has been a hindrance, not a help, to getting things expedited as per the wishes of my father.
@Mari Maxwell: just read this, so what did your Mother’s will stipulate! And wh was given enduring power of Attirney bynyour Mother/Father, as they would have needed to give this or otherwise be madevWards of Court, which is a long and consuming process. You dont jention either who was her primary carer whilst at home..
There should be absolutely no tax on inheritances. Enough tax was paid by the deceased through their lives . I think it’s disgusting that the state benefit from a loved ones death.
@Naoimh Ó Murchadha: what about millionaires? Billionaires? The loved ones didn’t do anything to earn the money, so of course there should be inheritance taxes
@Naoimh Ó Murchadha: Tax on tax on tax. The State actually takes all of the value of an estate over many decades. You pay on what you inherit. Your kids pay on what you leave them, which will include some of what was left to you. So you think that you actually own your house?
@Naoimh Ó Murchadha:
Zero tax on inheritance would be nice but unrealistic, 33% is high nonetheless. Given price rises in the property market at the moment politicians, especially FG with their older age profile supporters are going to come under pressure to increase thresholds.
Taxing too much on inheritance it is a disgrace. People paid for their house when they bought it with taxes on it. Then taxes again when sold why should the government get money of the house it should be the families full stop.
@Grainne Keegan: AND they introduced a property tax, so you never really have a debt property, it is only a millstone around ones neck and a revenue source for the state apparatus.
@Grainne Keegan: If I live in South Co. Dublin and leave a modest three bed worth €750K to my son/daughter he will pay €173K in inheritance tax. This often forces the sale of the property. Whether you consider this in itself to be fair or unfair consider a farmer who leaves a working farm worth €750K to his son/daughter. The inheritance tax is zero. This is unfair and inconsistent.
http://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/what-are-the-tax-implications-of-leaving-a-farm-worth-e750000/
@Sean:
The farmer needs that farm to provide himself/herself a living, someone living in South Co Dublin does not generally use his house as his living.
@P.J. Nolan: well you see it is not means tested so the farmer could have a very decent income from farming (even from half a farm), significant additional assets including property and even a number of other businesses and there would still be no inheritance tax payable on the transfer of the farm.
On the “depending on it for a livelihood” point a landlord is taxed as a business but when he / she tries to pass on properties to his offspring the asset transfer is taxed to the hilt. In many cases the tax is so high the property needs to be sold.
The point I am trying to make is that to be fair inheritance tax needs to be applied consistently to all sectors.
I’ve a mate who’s over 2 years in probate over 2 seperate solicitors milking it. That’s all they’re doing and it’s wrong!
@flabar oflabar:
The record in my experience was 7 years. (Major mistake made by solicitors in original will)
@P.J. Nolan: This year marks 8 years since probate issued in the estate of Dolores Maxwell. This beneficiary still has never received the section 68 letter outlining the costs in my mom’s estate: http://dolores-maxwell.com/john_white/open_letter_beauchamps_16_dec_2013.php
The UK democratised the probate system years ago. Its easy to follow guide demystifies the process. It makes it easy for the ordinary citizen. The Dublin probate office are exceptionally helpful to lay applicants but the website needs to be easier to follow .
Did it myself save a fortune, couple of days after form & papers submitted. Staff helpful… Also they have no idea of house prices.. always a bonus.. so i‘m told..
Sorry for the probably stupid question but the 17 wks in Dublin for solicitors applications, is that just for the appointment or for the whole grant of probate process ???
@Gwen Denny: I would think that its the Time that the probate office receives the application from the solicitors there should be a simpler system and avoiding solicitors if there is a choice
@Johnny Mason: you can apply to the Probate office in person and don’t need a solicitor. Agree the system could be made simpler
@Johnny Mason: thanks a mill . It’s 23 weeks since we signed everything for the solicitor, god knows how long it will take . And you’re absolutely right , especially if it’s straightforward. They need to overhaul the whole process
@Gwen Denny: That’s for the whole process. There is no appointment required for solicitor applications just for personal applications.
@Margaret Heffernan: thanks a million . I may get onto the solicitor to see if there is any news . Thank you
It’s only slow because solicitors are fcuking lazy
@Me_a_monkey: I rung mine 3 wks ago and never received a call back , then emailed him last wk and still no answer . He is an ignorant dog but I used him for a specific reason but I’m afraid to ring again
@Me_a_monkey: Not lazy, sneaky, “leave that with me and I will look at it later.”
€50+ for signature, looks bad if signed in front of customer.
@Gwen Denny: Hound him Gwen. Never stop hounding him. Make him dread you.
@Michael Fox: that’s what I would normally do to anyone that is doing or getting stuff for me ,but this lad is so ignorant and rude he intimidates me
@Michael Fox: well after still having no joy at getting an answer from my solicitor other than a 2 minute call 3 wks ago to say he would chase it up and get back to me , I rung the probate office today and even though I had signed all paperwork mid September 2017 the probate office have no record of any application in my fathers name or address at all .
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