A WEEKEND celebrating the films of activist, anthropologist, writer, and film-maker Margaretta D’Arcy, takes place later this month on the Aran Islands.
The Margaretta D’Arcy Film Weekend will be held in the Áras Éanna Arts Centre, Inis Oírr, on Friday 22 and Saturday 23.
A total of 13 documentaries, made between 1986 and 2014 will be shown, addressing issues of Irish nationalism, civil liberties, and women’s rights. “These films are partly autobiographical and they document some of the political campaigns I have been involved in,” said Margaretta. “I will be introducing each film and there will be a question and answer session at the end of each programme.”
The Friday features two sessions, the first running from 2pm to 4pm. It opens with Big Plane Small Axe: The Mis-trials of Mary Kelly (2005 ), a subjective documentary focusing on Mary Kelly, who attacked a US military plane at Shannon Airport with an axe.
Also being shown are Shannon Compilation (2014 ), which features an interview with Naom Chomsky on American violations of international law, and Knitting for Peace (2009 ), with footage from the Shannon protests.
The second session runs from 8.30pm to 10pm and opens with Yellow Gate Women (2007 ), which looks at how women from Greenham Common Peace Camp outwitted the British and US military through bolt cutters and legal challenges.
Also being shown are Radio Pirate Women (2013 ), a compilation of clips from Margaretta’s pirate radio station, and End Violence Against Women (2007 ), a two minute short where the ghosts and spirits of murdered women glide in and out of the streets of Galway.
Saturday’s 2pm to 4pm session opens with Circus Exposé of the New Cultural Church (1986 ), which follows Margaretta during a protest outside the Arts Council. This is followed by Fuchsias for Burma (2007 ) about a Burmese solidarity event at the Spanish Arch and the work in progress Galway Pussy Riot on Achill.
The 8.30pm to 10pm programme features Welcome To Our World (2012 ) which looks at the problems encountered by wheelchair users in Galway city; A Tribute to Breda Lewis (2009 ), a short film about the traditional musician; Shell Hell (2005 ) about the Rossport 5, and work in progress The Wayward Course, about a man determined to build a golf course in the boggy wilds of Connemara.
Admission is free. For more information see margarettadarcy.com, www.araseanna.ie, or call 099 - 75150.
