FURTHER ACCOLADE FOR OMAGH ATROCITY FILM
Further accolade for Omagh atrocity Film
THE feature film, 'Omagh', based on the single worst atrocity of the Troubles, has won an award for best film at the Irish Film and Television Awards in Dublin.
Held at the weekend, 'Omagh', which was developed in close cooperation with the relatives of those killed in the 1998 Real IRA bombing in the town, beat off competition from other films, such as Damian O'Donnell's 'Inside I'm Dancing' and Lenny Abrahamson's 'Adam and Paul'.
Based on the Omagh atrocity, the film examines the events and the devastating aftermath of the Real IRA attack which killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins in August 1998.
The key character in the film is based on Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aidan died in the explosion and who became a member of the support group which campaigned for the bombers to be brought to justice.
Describing the award as 'fantastic news', Mr Gallagher, said that much 'hope' could be taken from the film's increasing recognition.
"This is one of several awards that the film has received. Just over a six weeks ago I was in San Sebastian for the San Sebastian Film Festival, where I witnessed the film winning an award. It also received a standing ovation in Belgium recently.
"When you go to countries outside of Northern Ireland and see the warmth, support and generosity of people it gives you hope and you take heart in it.
'The fact that the film has received so many awards reflects the amount of work put into to it by both those infront and behind the camera.
"When this film was first talked about there was a lot of controversy within Omagh about how it would affect the community. It would be interesting to hear how those who objected to it feel now or even if they have watched it as it seems to create more interest elsewhere than it does in Omagh."
At the event in the Burlington Hotel 'Omagh' producer Ed Guiney dedicated the award to the families of the victims.
Mr Guiney said the film had shown the personal story behind the tragedies, which were often ignored by fast moving TV news.
Omagh-born actor Gerard McSorley, who played Michael Gallagher in the film, won the award for best actor . In his acceptance speech he dedicated the film to the families who faced adversity with "courage, dignity and respect".
"It's about them and that's the reason why it was made. We were very tentative and sensitive to that because the film would never have been made without the approval of the families," he said.
Mr McSorley said the film was tough to do, but had helped campaigners to keep Omagh in the public eye.
Praising the talents of Mr McSorley, Mr Gallagher added: "We always knew it was only a matter of time before Gerard McSorely's tremendous acting skills would be recognised. It is wonderful that it happened in Ireland."
'Omagh' has also recently won prestigious awards in both Toronto and Spain. In Toronto the film won the Discovery Award and at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, the film was awarded the 'Golden Shell' The film has also secured cinema release in several European countries.
THE feature film, 'Omagh', based on the single worst atrocity of the Troubles, has won an award for best film at the Irish Film and Television Awards in Dublin.
Held at the weekend, 'Omagh', which was developed in close cooperation with the relatives of those killed in the 1998 Real IRA bombing in the town, beat off competition from other films, such as Damian O'Donnell's 'Inside I'm Dancing' and Lenny Abrahamson's 'Adam and Paul'.
Based on the Omagh atrocity, the film examines the events and the devastating aftermath of the Real IRA attack which killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins in August 1998.
The key character in the film is based on Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aidan died in the explosion and who became a member of the support group which campaigned for the bombers to be brought to justice.
Describing the award as 'fantastic news', Mr Gallagher, said that much 'hope' could be taken from the film's increasing recognition.
"This is one of several awards that the film has received. Just over a six weeks ago I was in San Sebastian for the San Sebastian Film Festival, where I witnessed the film winning an award. It also received a standing ovation in Belgium recently.
"When you go to countries outside of Northern Ireland and see the warmth, support and generosity of people it gives you hope and you take heart in it.
'The fact that the film has received so many awards reflects the amount of work put into to it by both those infront and behind the camera.
"When this film was first talked about there was a lot of controversy within Omagh about how it would affect the community. It would be interesting to hear how those who objected to it feel now or even if they have watched it as it seems to create more interest elsewhere than it does in Omagh."
At the event in the Burlington Hotel 'Omagh' producer Ed Guiney dedicated the award to the families of the victims.
Mr Guiney said the film had shown the personal story behind the tragedies, which were often ignored by fast moving TV news.
Omagh-born actor Gerard McSorley, who played Michael Gallagher in the film, won the award for best actor . In his acceptance speech he dedicated the film to the families who faced adversity with "courage, dignity and respect".
"It's about them and that's the reason why it was made. We were very tentative and sensitive to that because the film would never have been made without the approval of the families," he said.
Mr McSorley said the film was tough to do, but had helped campaigners to keep Omagh in the public eye.
Praising the talents of Mr McSorley, Mr Gallagher added: "We always knew it was only a matter of time before Gerard McSorely's tremendous acting skills would be recognised. It is wonderful that it happened in Ireland."
'Omagh' has also recently won prestigious awards in both Toronto and Spain. In Toronto the film won the Discovery Award and at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, the film was awarded the 'Golden Shell' The film has also secured cinema release in several European countries.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1768
Published Date: 04-Nov-04
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