MIXED REACTION ON BRINGING OMAGH BOMB TO THE BIG SCREEN
Mixed reaction on brining Omagh bomb horror to the 'big screen'
Claire Anthony goes out on to the streets of the town to get peoples view
THE horror of the Omagh bomb will undoubtedly be etched on the hearts and minds of many people, especially the families of the victims, for generations to come.
However, as filming has taken place in Navan on a feature length drama about the atrocity, it seems that the events of August 15. 1998 are to be immortalised on the screen as well.
The reaction to the film so far has been mixed. One Tyrone woman. who stumbled across the Navan film set, which is a replica of Market Street on the day of the explosion, expressed her anger and distress that such a film is being produced just five years after the bombing.
Meanwhile, Mr Michael Gallagher, chairman of Omagh Victims Self-Help Group, who lost his only son, Aiden, in the blast, has said he understands the film will be difficult and perhaps impossible for some people to watch, but believes that it is necessary "to tell the world what happened in our town."
The film, which is being produced in association with Channel Four, centres on the events of August 15, and the subsequent struggle of the families to gel justice for their loved ones, it has been revealed.
We went out and about on the streets of Omagh to gauge reaction of local people about the production.
Elaine Wray who works for an estate agent in the town, said she did not even know that any such a film was being made.
"I didn't hear anything about it until now. I think people are still very sensitive to the whole thing, so I'm not sure it's a good idea, but J definitely think it should have been publicised more in Omagh."
Raymond Elliott a postman from Omagh. said that the film could be helpful in making the world more aware of what happened in the aftermath of the bomb, but expressed concern that events would be sensationalised for the big screen.
"A film never depicts exactly what happened because they have to add an extra dimension to make it interesting," he said.
Freda Peden, meanwhile, said she knew very little about the film.
"The people who are left behind are the people that have most feeling towards it. but it's not a bad idea to let people know. I would have thought people should have been told more at this stage,"
Omagh Academy schoolgirls, Olivia Aiken and Victoria Keys, both expressed concern for the people who were directly affected by the tragedy.
Said Olivia: "I don't think it should be thrown in people's faces all over again. I mean, if it was your mum or your sister I just don't think they should do it."
Said Victoria: "If do think it's too soon for the people who were involved, but if it's going to somehow make the rest of the world realise what they have gone through then I think it's worthwhile."
Omagh Christian Brothers pupil Jamie Turbett echoed these sentiments: "I didn't even know about it, but I think it's a good idea to inform people, especially people who don't know anything about the Troubles."
Rustam Jamshidi, a retired medical consultant, who worked in Tyrone County Hospital for many years, said: "If it brings a message that, in the long run, will be constructive, then it's a great thing. But it's going to bring back lots of unhappy memories people who are trying to get over their tragedy are once again plunged back into it and that brings lots of unhappiness and psychological problems."
Mr Jamshidi added that it would have been a good idea for the people of Omagh to have been better informed about the planned production.
"It would have been a good idea for people to know, because they belong to this town, and because the film is going to be about this town. I think it's perfectly in order for them to have had the chance to express their feelings."
But Mr Jamshidi feels that the timing of the film if there is to be one is about right.
I think time wise it's OK. because the further you go along the line, you are going to bring back memories again, and maybe later on the wound has healed to such an extent that it would be dreadful to open it again," he said .
Claire Anthony goes out on to the streets of the town to get peoples view
THE horror of the Omagh bomb will undoubtedly be etched on the hearts and minds of many people, especially the families of the victims, for generations to come.
However, as filming has taken place in Navan on a feature length drama about the atrocity, it seems that the events of August 15. 1998 are to be immortalised on the screen as well.
The reaction to the film so far has been mixed. One Tyrone woman. who stumbled across the Navan film set, which is a replica of Market Street on the day of the explosion, expressed her anger and distress that such a film is being produced just five years after the bombing.
Meanwhile, Mr Michael Gallagher, chairman of Omagh Victims Self-Help Group, who lost his only son, Aiden, in the blast, has said he understands the film will be difficult and perhaps impossible for some people to watch, but believes that it is necessary "to tell the world what happened in our town."
The film, which is being produced in association with Channel Four, centres on the events of August 15, and the subsequent struggle of the families to gel justice for their loved ones, it has been revealed.
We went out and about on the streets of Omagh to gauge reaction of local people about the production.
Elaine Wray who works for an estate agent in the town, said she did not even know that any such a film was being made.
"I didn't hear anything about it until now. I think people are still very sensitive to the whole thing, so I'm not sure it's a good idea, but J definitely think it should have been publicised more in Omagh."
Raymond Elliott a postman from Omagh. said that the film could be helpful in making the world more aware of what happened in the aftermath of the bomb, but expressed concern that events would be sensationalised for the big screen.
"A film never depicts exactly what happened because they have to add an extra dimension to make it interesting," he said.
Freda Peden, meanwhile, said she knew very little about the film.
"The people who are left behind are the people that have most feeling towards it. but it's not a bad idea to let people know. I would have thought people should have been told more at this stage,"
Omagh Academy schoolgirls, Olivia Aiken and Victoria Keys, both expressed concern for the people who were directly affected by the tragedy.
Said Olivia: "I don't think it should be thrown in people's faces all over again. I mean, if it was your mum or your sister I just don't think they should do it."
Said Victoria: "If do think it's too soon for the people who were involved, but if it's going to somehow make the rest of the world realise what they have gone through then I think it's worthwhile."
Omagh Christian Brothers pupil Jamie Turbett echoed these sentiments: "I didn't even know about it, but I think it's a good idea to inform people, especially people who don't know anything about the Troubles."
Rustam Jamshidi, a retired medical consultant, who worked in Tyrone County Hospital for many years, said: "If it brings a message that, in the long run, will be constructive, then it's a great thing. But it's going to bring back lots of unhappy memories people who are trying to get over their tragedy are once again plunged back into it and that brings lots of unhappiness and psychological problems."
Mr Jamshidi added that it would have been a good idea for the people of Omagh to have been better informed about the planned production.
"It would have been a good idea for people to know, because they belong to this town, and because the film is going to be about this town. I think it's perfectly in order for them to have had the chance to express their feelings."
But Mr Jamshidi feels that the timing of the film if there is to be one is about right.
I think time wise it's OK. because the further you go along the line, you are going to bring back memories again, and maybe later on the wound has healed to such an extent that it would be dreadful to open it again," he said .
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1683
Published Date: 22-Jan-04
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