OMAGH FILM HAS FIRST PUBLIC AIRING
Omagh film has first public airing
Invited audience will view screening in Belfast next week
OMAGH, the new feature length drama written by Guy Hibbert and Paul Greengrass, will receive its first public outing next week when the film is screened to an invited audience in Belfast on May
Omagh examines the events and aftermath of August 15, 1998, the Real IRA bomb that claimed the lives of 31 victims. Based on unflinching first-hand research and in consultation with the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, the drama chronicles the unresolved struggle to bring the perpetrators of the bombing to justice and the persistent lobbying of the governments of both countries by the families, whose need for a full and honest examination of the tragedy has never been met. The Omagh Support Group will be the first people to see the film before the public screening.
The drama is directed by Pete Travis, most recently noted for his acclaimed direction of Ray Winstone in Henry VIII (ITV1). The cast includes Omagh native Gerard McSorley, reunited with Greengrass after his role in Bloody Sunday and seen on screen in Joel Schumacher's film Veronica Guerin. McSorley plays Michael Gallagher, who lost his 21 year-old son Aiden in the explosion and who has become a key spokesman and lobbyist for the victim's families.
"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. I hope this film will help bring our struggle to a wider audience who will get the message that hope comes out of despair," says Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group.
Omagh is a British/Irish collaboration. The drama is produced by Tiger Aspect (Teachers, Bodily Harm, Murphy's Law, Murder) with Irish producers Hell's Kitchen International (In The Name of The Father, In America, The Boxer). It is produced by Ed Guiney of Hell's Kitchen International and Paul Greengrass, and co-produced by his collaborator on Bloody Sunday, Don Mullan (author of Eyewitness Bloody Sunday). Greg Brenman of Tiger Aspect is executive producer. Omagh is funded by Channel 4, RTE and the Irish Film Board.
Omagh will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Thursday, May 27, and on RTE One on Saturday, May 22.
"Omagh has been the result of over two years of research and consultation with the Omagh Self Help and Support Group. We hope we have done justice to their brave and remarkable campaign by telling their story," says producer Ed Guiney.
Channel 4's Head of Drama, John Yorke, says, "This is a hugely exciting landmark production for Channel 4, reflecting our belief in drama's ability to ask powerful and provocative political questions. It tells the story from the families' point of view, portraying their personal battle for justice. The drama will act as a bookend to Paul Greengrass' humane and pertinent examination of the Irish situation."
Mary Callery, RTE Television Commissioning Editor, says, "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 Self Help and Support Group. It is an extraordinary story about ordinary people and what they have achieved against the odds."
Invited audience will view screening in Belfast next week
OMAGH, the new feature length drama written by Guy Hibbert and Paul Greengrass, will receive its first public outing next week when the film is screened to an invited audience in Belfast on May
Omagh examines the events and aftermath of August 15, 1998, the Real IRA bomb that claimed the lives of 31 victims. Based on unflinching first-hand research and in consultation with the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, the drama chronicles the unresolved struggle to bring the perpetrators of the bombing to justice and the persistent lobbying of the governments of both countries by the families, whose need for a full and honest examination of the tragedy has never been met. The Omagh Support Group will be the first people to see the film before the public screening.
The drama is directed by Pete Travis, most recently noted for his acclaimed direction of Ray Winstone in Henry VIII (ITV1). The cast includes Omagh native Gerard McSorley, reunited with Greengrass after his role in Bloody Sunday and seen on screen in Joel Schumacher's film Veronica Guerin. McSorley plays Michael Gallagher, who lost his 21 year-old son Aiden in the explosion and who has become a key spokesman and lobbyist for the victim's families.
"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. I hope this film will help bring our struggle to a wider audience who will get the message that hope comes out of despair," says Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group.
Omagh is a British/Irish collaboration. The drama is produced by Tiger Aspect (Teachers, Bodily Harm, Murphy's Law, Murder) with Irish producers Hell's Kitchen International (In The Name of The Father, In America, The Boxer). It is produced by Ed Guiney of Hell's Kitchen International and Paul Greengrass, and co-produced by his collaborator on Bloody Sunday, Don Mullan (author of Eyewitness Bloody Sunday). Greg Brenman of Tiger Aspect is executive producer. Omagh is funded by Channel 4, RTE and the Irish Film Board.
Omagh will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Thursday, May 27, and on RTE One on Saturday, May 22.
"Omagh has been the result of over two years of research and consultation with the Omagh Self Help and Support Group. We hope we have done justice to their brave and remarkable campaign by telling their story," says producer Ed Guiney.
Channel 4's Head of Drama, John Yorke, says, "This is a hugely exciting landmark production for Channel 4, reflecting our belief in drama's ability to ask powerful and provocative political questions. It tells the story from the families' point of view, portraying their personal battle for justice. The drama will act as a bookend to Paul Greengrass' humane and pertinent examination of the Irish situation."
Mary Callery, RTE Television Commissioning Editor, says, "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 Self Help and Support Group. It is an extraordinary story about ordinary people and what they have achieved against the odds."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1656
Published Date: 06-May-04
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