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A multi-part series
for television celebrating the centennial of the Irish Literary
Renaissance
Great Irish writers and their masterful stories of courage
and despair, love, death, and good fortune in the nick-of-time
come to life in a novel television format combining a literary
film adaptation with supporting documentary sequences. This
multi-part series commemorates the centennial of the founding
of the Irish Literary Movement. Episodes showcase the lives
and master works of turn-of-the-century Irish authors connected
with its founding, including W.B. Yeats, Lady Gregory, George
Moore, J.M. Synge, AE, George Fitzmaurice, Seumas O’Kelly
and many others. Though quintessentially Irish, the characters
and situations put forth in these tales are universal, entertaining
and equally relevant to the lives of contemporary audiences.
Pilot
Episode
(Documentary Segment available for preview):
This unique television format combines documentary footage
and an original dramatic narrative film in an hour-long
format. Shot on location in Dublin, Counties Wicklow and
Galway, the program looks at "Ireland's neglected genius,"
Seumas O'Kelly and his masterpiece short story, The Weaver's
Grave. A contemporary of Yeats and Synge, O'Kelly was known
more as a newspaper man during Ireland's literary renaissance
until his untimely death on Armistice Day, 1918, at which
time he was given a huge national funeral due to the circumstances
and turbulent political climate. Then, "Ireland proceeded
to forget him." Location footage, interviews with townspeople,
rare archival photographs and original music combine to
create a portrait of the artist, followed by an original
dramatic narrative treatment of his timeless tale about
finding love in the least likely of places. Eamon Kelly,
Milo O'Shea and other noted Irish players star.
Tentative Selections
The Rising of the Moon: An intriguing tale
of shifting loyalties by Lady Augusta Gregory
Calvary: A contemporary tale of Christ's
last steps to Calvary by W.B. Yeats (dramatic component
completed starring and directed by Patrick Bergin)
The Shadow of the Glen: A biting tale of
chance and choice by J.M. Synge
Home Sickness: A haunting tale of missed
opportunity by George Moore
The Weaver's Grave: A timeless tale of finding
love by Seumas O'Kelly (documentary component completed)
The Dandy Dolls: a whimsical tale of independence
& conformity by George Fitzmaurice
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