Melbourne will host a celebration of Irish film this St Patrick's Day
Melbourne's iconic Astor Theatre will host a celebration of Irish film this St Patrick's Day. The historic St Kilda landmark has programmed a special screening of the hit comedy The Guard, which will be accompanied by three unique short films from the Irish Film Board on March 17.
Proprietor George Florence said: "The Astor has a long history of showcasing exciting films from around the globe. With the recent influx of Irish people to Melbourne, we could think of no better time to celebrate Ireland's contribution to cinema and introduce Australian audiences to some great Irish films."
This one-off programme will be headlined by hit comedy The Guard. Set in Galway, the film finds unorthodox Garda Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) teaming up with FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) to track a gang of drug dealers across the wilds of Connemara. Filled with blackly comic moments and quotable dialogue, The Guard is already considered a modern Irish classic.
Three diverse shorts covering different facets of the Irish experience will be screened prior to the film. Animated film Origin follows a young man on the brink of immigrating to Australia racing across Dublin, as unique animation resurrects the city's mythic origins.
Documentary short Home Turf follows a group of elderly men as they engage in the ancient art of cutting turf by hand in the shadow of modern machines. Filmed in Co Kerry, the film portrays the threat to this communal activity and the men's way of life.
Finally, Irish-language short Asal is the heartbreaking story of a young fisherman who risks his life to save a friend.
Melbourne-based lecturer Dr Liam Burke, who has programmed the event, said he was delighted to bring Irish film back to The Astor Theatre.
"The Guard is one of the most successful Irish films of recent years and offers an insightful glimpse into Irish humour against the backdrop of the rugged Galway landscape. The three short films that will be screened cover a range of issues that will resonate with Irish emigrants, but will also showcase the best of Ireland and Irish filmmaking" Dr Burke added.
The Cork native, a media studies lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology, will introduce the screening.
The screening will take place at 2pm on Sunday, March 17. Tickets costing $15 for adults, $14 for students/seniors and concessions and $13 for pensioners and children are available from www.astortheatre.net.au.