OMAGH MASSACRE FILM TO BE PREMIERED
Omagh massacre film to be premiered
By Michael McHugh
RELATIVES of Omagh bomb victims will be among the first people to view an evocative film about the 1998 massacre when it receives its first showing in Belfast this weekend.
Simply entitled 'Omagh,' the drama chronicles the unresolved struggle to bring the perpetrators of the bombing, which killed 29 people and unborn twins, to justice and the efforts of the victims' families to spur on the Irish and British governments and security forces in that task.
A premiere will be held at the UGC Cinema in Belfast on Sunday night and will attract victims' families, celebrities and public representatives and others affected by the tragedy. One person affected by the atrocity criticised the filmmakers for producing the programme too soon after the event but the Omagh Self-Help Victims' Group co-operated in making it.
The film contains a reconstruction of the explosion on August 15, 1998, and Michael Gallagher, who speaks for many families, said it would be a moving experience.
"It will not be easy to watch but I think it is very important for the wider public to see the struggle that we have had over the last few years," he said.
"I think it will be a difficult experience for everybody involved but it is a story well worth telling and we hope it gives a better understanding to people out there of what we have gone through over the last few years.
"I would like to think Omagh shows that in the midst of evil and wickedness, ordinary people from a wide variety of backgrounds have come together in the fight for truth and justice."
The production, which took two years to make, was written by Pete Travis and casts Gerard McSorley as Michael Gallagher, the most prominent campaigner for victims' families, who lost his son Aidan.
Mr McSorley took part in 'Bloody Sunday a film about the 1972 deaths in Londonderry and 'Veronica Guerin,' which depicted the life of the murdered investigative journalist.
'Omagh' is a British/Irish collaboration.
The drama is produced by UK-based Tiger Aspect with Irish producers Hells Kitchen International.
It is funded by Channel 4, RTE and the Irish Film Board and will be broadcast on Channel 4 on May 27 and on RTE on May 22.
Mary Callery, Commissioning Editor, RTE Television, said: "This is a powerful story of bravery and optimism in the face of devastating human tragedy. We hope that by going behind the headlines, this film brings to a wide audience a greater understanding and insight into the struggles of the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group.
"It is an extraordinary story about ordinary people and what they have achieved against the odds."
By Michael McHugh
RELATIVES of Omagh bomb victims will be among the first people to view an evocative film about the 1998 massacre when it receives its first showing in Belfast this weekend.
Simply entitled 'Omagh,' the drama chronicles the unresolved struggle to bring the perpetrators of the bombing, which killed 29 people and unborn twins, to justice and the efforts of the victims' families to spur on the Irish and British governments and security forces in that task.
A premiere will be held at the UGC Cinema in Belfast on Sunday night and will attract victims' families, celebrities and public representatives and others affected by the tragedy. One person affected by the atrocity criticised the filmmakers for producing the programme too soon after the event but the Omagh Self-Help Victims' Group co-operated in making it.
The film contains a reconstruction of the explosion on August 15, 1998, and Michael Gallagher, who speaks for many families, said it would be a moving experience.
"It will not be easy to watch but I think it is very important for the wider public to see the struggle that we have had over the last few years," he said.
"I think it will be a difficult experience for everybody involved but it is a story well worth telling and we hope it gives a better understanding to people out there of what we have gone through over the last few years.
"I would like to think Omagh shows that in the midst of evil and wickedness, ordinary people from a wide variety of backgrounds have come together in the fight for truth and justice."
The production, which took two years to make, was written by Pete Travis and casts Gerard McSorley as Michael Gallagher, the most prominent campaigner for victims' families, who lost his son Aidan.
Mr McSorley took part in 'Bloody Sunday a film about the 1972 deaths in Londonderry and 'Veronica Guerin,' which depicted the life of the murdered investigative journalist.
'Omagh' is a British/Irish collaboration.
The drama is produced by UK-based Tiger Aspect with Irish producers Hells Kitchen International.
It is funded by Channel 4, RTE and the Irish Film Board and will be broadcast on Channel 4 on May 27 and on RTE on May 22.
Mary Callery, Commissioning Editor, RTE Television, said: "This is a powerful story of bravery and optimism in the face of devastating human tragedy. We hope that by going behind the headlines, this film brings to a wide audience a greater understanding and insight into the struggles of the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group.
"It is an extraordinary story about ordinary people and what they have achieved against the odds."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0938
Published Date: 07-May-04
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