OCTOBER 1999
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 15
LIAM O MOCHAIN and Antoinette Guiney in The Book That Wrote Itself. Liam not only wrote the screenplay, he directed and starred in the film, which he produced on a shoestring budget.
"The stars had no idea they were becoming characters in my movie — they just thought they were being asked general questions. "
(Continued from page 14)
coming movie, "The Daughter of Conn."
These include George Clooney, Kenneth Branagh, Melanie Griffith and Bryan Singer. Other noteworthy cameos in the film include Robert DeNiro, Warren Beatty, Annette Benning, Sir Ian McKellan, and Catherine Deneuve.
The filmmakers were able to shoot at the film festival as they had a press pass, and press conferences are deemed public domain. They were also able to use the cameos by the Hollywood stars as their contribution was made while they were publicizing their public image, which is deemed public domain and is not an infringement of their personal life or their image.
Liam recalls, "I had the camera put on myself while I asked a
question that could relate to both their work and also with the character in my film. The stars had no idea they were becoming characters in my movie — they just thought they were being asked general questions."
The film takes a serious yet satirical look at the characters that populate the creative industry, namely literary figures and film makers, seeing how far they are willing to go to make it or not. It also shows how sometimes, the least expected person triumphs.
When asked if there was a little of himself in the character of Vincent, Liam replied, "I wouldn't think so....very little. Maybe about seven or eight years ago when I was trying to get things off the ground first. I had the enthusiasm that he would have had, but I wouldn't have given up....because that's what he did. Basically, he gave up."
Concern Mounts for Missing Filmmaker
DUBLIN — There is growing concern about the disappearance of one of Ireland's best-known independent film producers.
Robert Walpole (34) whose production company, Treasure Films, was responsible for making the hit movie / Went Down, was last seen leaving his office in Temple Bar on September 30.
Walpole withdrew £200 from an ATM machine on Temple Bar Square shortly afterwards, but has not been seen or heard from since.
Friends said he had made a loose arrangement to meet someone later that evening but did not turn up. When a colleague he was due to meet called his mobile telephone, it was switched off.
Concern mounted after Walpole failed to turn up at Dublin Airport
the following morning to catch a flight to London, where he was scheduled to have a business meeting.
Originally from Bray, Robert was co-producer with Paddy Breathnach on / Went Down and the two were the toast of the Irish film world after their movie, starring Brendan Gleeson, was a critical and commercial success.
The film, which had a budget of £ 1.7 in, made in excess of £600,000 at the Irish box office and at one stage was number 30 in the United States. Walpole's production company secured a first look deal with New Line Cinema on the strength of / Went Down.
Walpole has been busy recently with a film entitled Saltwater. A friend said Walpole's disappearance was totally out of character.
The Book that Wrote Itself is expected to be released on video in North America early next year. It's next showing is at the Austin Film Festival, Texas on October 8 and 12. It will also be screened at the Cork International Film Festival on October 14. For more information, visit their website at www.thebookthatwroteitself.com.
Car Toll Proposed for Dublin
DUBLIN — A recent report commissioned by the government proposes to levy a £3 toll for each car entering Dublin to help alleviate the city's chronic traffic congestion.
The Irish Independent reports that the proposal is recommended by respected international transport consultants Oscar Faber who say the measure would generate around £40 million a year.
It is understood to suggest that some form of electronic tagging of cars, rather than any system of physical tolling, to be used to enforce the road pricing charge. This would involve the introduction of a smart card system where cars would be credited using high tech cameras. The report says this system of road pricing could be introduced by a once off expenditure of up to £12 million.
The news of another levy on motoring comes as latest figures show record numbers buying new cars. Figures to the end of September show 159,909 were registered in the first nine months of the year.
This is a near 20 percent increase over last year and an all -time record. Industry sources say there is no sign of demand abating and predict a 200,000 new-car market next vear.
tage Eireann
>ramatic
Society
Presents
The Abbey Theatre Comedy Hit
"A Little Like Paradise"
by Niall Williams directed by Bill Forbes
November 23-27 Curtain at 8:00 PM |Matinee on Thursday November 27 at 2:00 PM At the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
6450 Deer Lake Avenue Bwnaby
Tickets $12 (Seniors & Students SllT) Special 2 for 1 on November 23rd
For Reservations please phone Veronica Stabler at 731- 8779
or Brenda Warren at 872-1040
Please Note: Production Volunteers Welcomed phone Patrick at 254-7642 or e-mail: pmcm@direct.ca
A
.I^^Stage Eireann is a registered charity fc% and a non-profit society
6
Meet with Friends Old and New at Vancouver's Favourite Neighbourhood (iathcring Place and Irish Music House
* EXcIOYOLDCOlTTRYCIURM^n'SIC, * COMFORT FOOD WITH ALL THE IRISH STANDARDS OX TAP
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