The Fate of the Irish Film Board
Appearances — By Stella on October 16, 2009 at 3:22 PMIt was a star-studded affair in an unlikely place: “the windowless, functional, fluorescent-lit chamber” in Leinster House, Dublin, where the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Arts heard testimony regarding the possible axing of the Irish Film Board.
The IrishTimes.com reports Wednesday, 14 October:
“Film projects in planning could risk being lost to Ireland because of uncertainty over the status of the Irish Film Board (IFB), Emmy award-winner Brendan Gleeson said yesterday. In giving evidence to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, he gave examples from his own experience. He’s planning an €11 million film version of “At Swim-Two-Birds” [note: GB is slated to appear in this film!] for next spring. But with film-making it is crucial that everyone “jumps at the right time”, he said, and if the IFB was removed from the equation it would be a lost opportunity.”
Several actors, artists, and writers were on hand to show their support during these proceedings, including one Gabriel Byrne.
The Independent.ie article on the testimony notes that “Alas, their compadre Gabriel Byrne wasn’t able to stay for the love-in as he had a plane to catch. But he had put the heart crossways on various female denizens of Leinster House when he popped up on the plinth for the photo-shoot. Nonetheless, his presence was a sure sign that the cultural shock troops are massing on the borders of the land of Philistine these days, armed to the teeth with verbal grenades and prepared to repel any attacks on the official end of the arts business.”
Thanks to Lara for the alert on this! Here are two pictures from the photoshoot, courtesy of The National Campaign for the Arts (Ireland). There is a third, but you will have to visit the Forum to view it. And you can add your own caption…This is Lozzie’s idea–and I like it! 
Tags: arts, Dublin, Irish Film Board
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5 Comments
Looking very dapper there, Mr. Byrne!
I am just a little bit in love.
I hope Irish Film Board will have the money they deserve and need!
the 3rd (missing pic) is my favorite
Link:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3248693&id=135604445372#/photo.php?pid=3248695&id=135604445372
The man’s heart is in the right place n he is funny-> no wonder so many of us like him !!
But with the face of an angel, no matter how hard he tries, Im sure no one would ever get scared of him