Galwegians who long to see cutting edge and avant garde cinema will be thrilled to hear that the city is about to host a festival of such films which is set to be the only festival of its kind in Ireland.
This is the Different Directions film festival which takes place this Saturday and Sunday at the Town Hall Theatre and the Nuns Island Studio. The festival’s opening reception takes place on Saturday at 5pm in Nuns Island.
The organisers want to introduce audiences to the experimental cinema tradition from across the world. There will be films starring The Clash’s Joe Strummer, films made by Jean-Luc Godard and FJ Ossang, as well as rarely screened works.
Among the films being screened are Ménilmontant (1926 ) made in Paris by Russian emigré Dimitri Kirsanoff. Kirsanoff is the grand-uncle of former Galway resident Francine Ryan-Kaplan, well known for her work with the Alliance Francaise. Francine's daughter Claire will introduce the film.
In tribute to May 1968, Pierre Clementi’s Censorship Visa Number X, a gem of psychedelic cinema with a political slant, will be a must-see for anyone interested in the 1960s counter-culture. Jean-Luc Godard’s four-and-a-half hour Histoire(s ) du Cinéma, will also be screened.
The special guest for this year’s festival will be the filmmaker, poet, and musician FJ Ossang, winner of the Prix Jean Vigo in 2007. Flamboyant, edgy, and very French, Ossang’s films blur the lines between genres and his musical background ensuring he brings a decidedly post-punk attitude to his poetic imagery.
Ossang will introduce four of his films, including Doctor Chance which stars his friend Joe Strummer at the Town Hall Theatre on Saturday December 6 starting at 12 noon.
The full festival programme as well as times and dates of the screenings is available at www.differentdirections.ie and the Town Hall.
