NEWS RELEASE

News Bureau . Schofield Hall 201 . Eau Claire, WI 54702
phone: (715) 836-4741
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EAU CLAIRE - Students enrolled in an English directed studies course at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and their professor will be putting on the UW-Eau Claire Irish Film Festival April 25-May 4.

Twenty feature-length and short Irish films will be screened. The films include new and recent achievements as well as otherwise critically acclaimed yet rarely exhibited classic titles. Moderated discussions will follow each day's screening or set of short film and video screenings.

One of the highlights of the festival is the screening of "Sunday," assistant professor Bob Nowlan said. It has achieved considerable acclaim, as well as provoking significant controversy through its exploration of the tragic events of Bloody Sunday in Derry, Northern Ireland, on Jan. 30, 1972. "Sunday" provides a hard-hitting investigation of the sources and consequences of this event, contrasting with "Bloody Sunday," which instead provides a recreated mock-documentary account of the day's tragic unfolding, Nowlan said. Jim Keys, the executive producer of "Sunday," will introduce and afterward discuss the film with the audience.

Roger Barton-Keys, the producer of "Black Velvet," will be at the festival to introduce and discuss his film. The festival will conclude with the screening of "Bloody Sunday" May 1-4.

Nowlan and the 22 students would like to see annual UW-Eau Claire Film Festivals on different topics.

"The work involved in producing this festival also provides a great learning experience for the students involved, many of whom seek to pursue future study and careers working with film, video and other varieties of moving-image texts," Nowlan said. "It also enables us to move forward with energy and determination as we develop a major/minor program focusing on critical studies in film, video and moving-image culture at UW-Eau Claire."

The following films will be shown, followed by facilitated discussions:

Friday, April 25

• 3 p.m. in Hibbard Hall Room 100, "No Irish Need Apply" and "The Irishmen."

Saturday, April 26

• 2 p.m. in Hibbard Hall Room 100, "The Patriot Game" and "War & Peace in Ireland."
• 4-9 p.m. Festival Party at the Brat Kabin, 314 Water St.

Sunday, April 27

• 2 p.m. in Davies Theatre, "Being Patricia," "Remembering Robert" and "Who's Not Irish."

Monday, April 28

• 7 p.m. in Hibbard Hall, Room 100, "Black Velvet" and "Ming." Roger Barton-Smith, the producer of "Black Velvet," will facilitate the discussion.

Tuesday, April 29

• 7 p.m. in Hibbard Hall, Room 100, "Sunday." Producer Jim Keys will facilitate the discussion

Wednesday, April 30

• 7 p.m. at Higherground, "Disco Pigs" and "An Craiceann Mar Canbhas." Mary Keane, producer of "An Craiceann Mar Canbhas," will facilitate the discussion.

Thursday, May 1

• 6 and 8:30 p.m. in Davies Theatre, "Bloody Sunday." Also showing Friday through Sunday. After Saturday's 6 p.m. showing, there will be a special discussion in the Hibbard Hall Penthouse (seventh floor).

Friday, May 2

• 3 p.m. in Davies Theatre, "Pavee Culture" and "Southpaw."
• 6 and 8:30 p.m. in Davies Theatre, "Bloody Sunday."

Saturday, May 3

• 2 p.m. Sunday in Davies Theatre, Film to be announced.
• 6 and 8:30 p.m. in Davies Theatre, "Bloody Sunday."

Sunday, May 4

• 6 and 8:30 p.m. in Davies Theatre, "Bloody Sunday."

All screenings and discussions are free and open to the public. The festival is co-sponsored by the UW-Eau Claire English Festival Committee, International Film Committee, University Activities Commission Films Committee and English department.

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Judy Berthiaume, Director
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu

Updated: April 22, 2003