Friday, February 4, 2011

Jim Sheridan: In Focus season kicks off

The IFI's Jim Sheridan: In Focus season started last night with a gala screening of My Left Foot. To open the proceedings, Sarah Glennie, Director of the IFI, introduced two very special guests, Director Jim Sheridan and star of the film, Daniel Day Lewis, both of whom gave their own personal introductions to the film. The screening was full of famous faces, many of whom had starred in (or worked on) the film, along with many members of the Sheridan clan.

Jim Sheridan

The film has stood the test of time beautifully. The reaction to the screening was hugely positive and warm, with many memories flooding back of the national pride in the film and the celebrations that followed the Academy Award victories for Daniel and Brenda Fricker. Many also commented on the people involved in the film who have now passed on, including Ray McAnally and Cyril Cusack.

Daniel Day Lewis, Hugh O'Conor, Jim Sheridan and Dr. Ruth Barton

Following the screening Dr. Ruth Barton hosted a Q&A with Jim, Daniel and Hugh O'Conor (who played the role of the young Christy Brown). It was a special night for all involved, and it emerged that it was the first time Daniel and Hugh had met since finishing the film. The panellists spoke about working together, and even revealed how Daniel found himself cycling in the Wicklow mountains with a potential funder in order to raise the necessary finances for the film!

Daniel Day Lewis & Hugh O'Conor

Jim's next visit to the IFI will be to take part in an in-depth interview with his brother Peter Sheridan. There are still tickets avaibable for this special event which will take place on Saturday, February 5th at 16.30. Peter, who attended the gala screening last night, announced that he would be giving Jim "a hard time", so it will defintely be an occasion not to be missed! The interview will be preceeded by a screening of Mobile Homes which was first written for the Project Arts Centre in 1976 and then adapted for the small screen in 1979 when Jim Sheridan himself took the lead role.

Jim Sheridan, Ruth Barton

Next week sees further guests arrive at the IFI for screenings in the season. On Monday, February 7th, Brenda Fricker, along with Luke Gibbons, will provide a special introduction for The Field. On Tuesday, February 8th, our special screeing of In the Name of the Father will pay special tribute to Pete Postlethwaite (who played Gerry Conlon's father, Giuseppe) who recently passed away. Some of Pete's family will be travelling over from the UK for the screeing, and both Jim and Daniel will once again attend to talk about the film and their friend Pete.

For full details on screenings and guests, please click here.

Ross Keane
Head of Marketing & Communications

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