This year's film series runs over the St. Patrick's Day weekend, beginning on Thursday, March 16 and continuing through Tuesday March 21; films will be screened at both Boston College and the West Newton Cinema, an independently owned and operated art house theater that has gained a reputation for screening innovative American and international films. In an important departure from previous years, the film series will include a symposium on Irish-American film, Screening Irish America.
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 Mickybo & Me (2005)Friday, March 17, 2006 West Newton Cinema 7:00 pm The year is 1970, and there's war on the streets of Belfast. But at the height of the euphemistically titled Troubles, the battle uppermost in the minds of young rascals Mickybo and JonJo is fought in a more glamorous location altogether: the silver screen. Based on Owen McCafferty's acclaimed play, Mickybo & Me tells the tale of two kindred spirits, one Catholic and one Protestant, obsessed with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Their infatuation leads them from fantasies into petty crime as the two boys play at becoming their heroes, ultimately mustering the courage for a daring escape to Australia. Director: Terry Loane Producers: Mark Huffam, Mike McGeagh Cast: Niall Wright, John Joe McNeil, Adrian Dunbar, Ciaran Hinds, Gina McKee, Julie Walters Running Time: 97 minutes Admission: $9.50 |
 Man About Dog (2004)Sunday, March 19, 2006 West Newton Cinema 7:00 pm When Belfast boys Mo Chara and his friends Scud Murphy and Cerebral Paulsy receive a young greyhound as payment for a favor to a local bookie, it's a dream come true. Owning their own dog is surely going to end a run of bad luck that has lasted since they placed their very first bets. But Cerberus is a greyhound with a mind of his own and until they have worked out the not-so-complex doggy psychology behind what makes him run, they're mired in a losing streak a mile wide. Deep in debt to the ruthless bookie, the boys risk everything at the most important event in the dog-racing calendar—the Clonmel meet. A comedy of underdogs making good without the aid of wisdom, guile or any natural or unnatural advantage whatsoever, Man About Dog proves that if you're not smart enough to recognize when you're beaten, you might actually end up winning. Director: Paddy Breathnach Producers: Simon Channing Williams, Rob Walpole Cast: Allen Leech, Ciaran Nolan Tom Murphy, Sean McGinley, Fionnula Flanagan Running Time: 89 minutes Admission: $9.50 |
 Short Order (2005)Sunday, March 19, 2006 West Newton Cinema 9:00 pm On Planet Earth on any given night, a billion stories unfold describing the mystery and magic of existence, and what better metaphor than food to describe the poetry of life in all its forms. Join in the hilarious, sensuous, violent, intoxicating, fascinating lives of restaurant workers at a short order food counter on the edge of Dublin, where fantasy, ennui and love collide with darkly comic consequences. Will Fiona rekindle her passion for real cooking, a gift so intense that it can, and does, cause orgasms? Or will the cigarillo-smoking Felix free Fiona from her frustration and seduce her back to the fancy kitchens of Shanks, his upscale downtown eatery? On this one night, life becomes a buffet and everything is "short order.” Director: Anthony Byrne Producers: Brian Willis Cast: Emma de Caunes, Rade Sherbedgia, Cosma Shiva Hagen, Jack Dee, Paul Kaye, Tatiana Ouliankina, Paschal Friel, Vanessa Redgrave, John Hurt Running time: 100 minutes Admission: $9.50 |
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 Idir Dha ShaolMonday, March 20, 2006 Boston College, Higgins 310 9:15 pm The extraordinary life of Connemara man Willie Walsh, who left Ireland in 1968 and ended up homeless in London, is the subject of Idir dhá Shaol (Between Two Lives). The simple, painful and heart-rending story of a forgotten side of the Irish Diaspora, the film tells Willie’s story in his own words and in his own language — Irish. Willie was eventually saved by the Cricklewood Homeless Concern project, but not before losing his wife, child, and his home. He now works for the Concern, helping other people who are going through the same experiences he did. Director: John Mallon Running time: 20 minutes Admission: Free |
| Inside I’m Dancing (2004) Tuesday, March 21, 2006 West Newton Cinema 7:00 pm From the producers of box office smash hit Billy Elliot comes a unique story of two unlikely friends who choose to take life head-on in the face of difficult circumstances. Michael Connolly's (Steven Robertson) life is passing him by until one day he meets the irrepressible Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy), who has a plan that will change their lives forever. Outsmarting the system, the unlikely pair manage to leave Carrigmore Home for the Disabled and land their very own flat. They employ the headstrong but inexperienced Siobhan (Romola Garai) to care for them. Her arrival brings unexpected revelations; Michael experiences emotions he has never felt before and the straight-talking Rory realizes he has finally met his match. With their newfound friendship and independence, life is theirs for the taking. Director: Damien O’Donnell Producers: James Flynn, Juanita Wilson, Catherine Tiernan Cast: Steven Robertson, James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Brenda Fricker, Ruth McCabe, Tom Hickey, Gerard McSorley Running time: 100 minutes Admission: $9.50 |
Special thanks to Aoife Coughlan, Irish Film Institute, Culture Ireland, Reel Ireland, the Consul General of Ireland, Des Bell, Queens University, Belfast, Ruth Barton, O'Kane Senior Research Fellow, School of Languages, Literatures and Film, Tony Tracy, Huston School of Film and Digital Media, National University of Ireland, Galway, Brian Willis, Igloo Films, Lisa Cullen, Axiom Films International Limited, Katie Holly, Treasure Films, Mike McGeagh New Moon Pictures, Gary Crowdus, First Run/Icarus Films, The Clinton Institute at University College, Dublin, David Brumante, Jack Dunn and the BC Office of Marketing Communication especially Eamonn Bonner. |
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