In an open letter to the Pm, Northern Irish film-maker Mark Cousins recommends six films, from Neil Jordan’s Angel to Bill Clinton’s eulogy to Martin McGuinness, to make him consider the consequences of no deal
Dear Boris Johnson,
I’m a Northern Irish film-maker, living in Scotland. I have never been great at words, but have learned a lot about life through film. As it is 50 years since the start of the Troubles and, as the backstop is so topical, I thought I would send six films to you at Downing St that clarify why all this matters. Maybe you could watch them on a flight or train journey somewhere?...
Dear Boris Johnson,
I’m a Northern Irish film-maker, living in Scotland. I have never been great at words, but have learned a lot about life through film. As it is 50 years since the start of the Troubles and, as the backstop is so topical, I thought I would send six films to you at Downing St that clarify why all this matters. Maybe you could watch them on a flight or train journey somewhere?...
- 8/23/2019
- by Mark Cousins
- The Guardian - Film News
The following review was originally posted on June 15, 2017. The Journey opens everywhere and screens exclusively in the St. Louis area at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinemas
Is it possible to whittle away at an “unmovable rock” in the political arena? Especially when there’s a 40 year history of bloody conflict forming an unbreakable shell around that formidable boulder? Well, how about forcing him into a trip with his enemy? That’s just what happens in this new film, in which its makers wish to be a “fly on the wall” during a remarkable day that changed the course of a country. It’s a “what if” look at a seminal time just 11 years ago when two opposing leaders try to find common ground during The Journey.
The year is 2006, and “the troubles” have rocked Ireland for over four decades. British Prime Minister Tony Blair (Toby Stephens) has organized a political...
Is it possible to whittle away at an “unmovable rock” in the political arena? Especially when there’s a 40 year history of bloody conflict forming an unbreakable shell around that formidable boulder? Well, how about forcing him into a trip with his enemy? That’s just what happens in this new film, in which its makers wish to be a “fly on the wall” during a remarkable day that changed the course of a country. It’s a “what if” look at a seminal time just 11 years ago when two opposing leaders try to find common ground during The Journey.
The year is 2006, and “the troubles” have rocked Ireland for over four decades. British Prime Minister Tony Blair (Toby Stephens) has organized a political...
- 7/21/2017
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Nick Hamm’s The Journey is not a typical biopic or historical drama. Many of these films fail with the viewer immediately questioning the movie’s verisimilitude and taking to the internet, The Journey makes it clear in the prologue that it is not concerned with the truth, so much as it is setting out to tell a good story.
The Journey takes place during the St. Andrews Peace Talks, which were held in Scotland by the British and Irish governments, along with political leaders from opposing sides of civil war-torn Northern Ireland to come to an agreement and bring peace to the region. Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall) and Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney) are fierce political rivals, however when Paisley must take his leave from the talks to attend his own fiftieth wedding anniversary, McGuinness offers to travel with him as an act of good faith. As the two of them travel to the airport,...
The Journey takes place during the St. Andrews Peace Talks, which were held in Scotland by the British and Irish governments, along with political leaders from opposing sides of civil war-torn Northern Ireland to come to an agreement and bring peace to the region. Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall) and Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney) are fierce political rivals, however when Paisley must take his leave from the talks to attend his own fiftieth wedding anniversary, McGuinness offers to travel with him as an act of good faith. As the two of them travel to the airport,...
- 6/26/2017
- by Rocco Tenaglia
- CinemaNerdz
“We are Ireland. We are inevitable.”
Each summer, while the multiplexes are filled with the big spectacles and epic blockbusters, the little gems that grip us with their humor, their tragedy and their humanity, manage to find their ways into the cinemas. This year it’s The Journey, the gripping account of how two men from opposite sides of the political spectrum came together to change the course of history.
In 2006, amidst the ongoing, decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, representatives from the two warring factions meet for negotiations. In one corner is Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall), the deeply conservative British loyalist; in the other is Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), a former Irish Republican Army leader who has devoted his life to the cause of Irish reunification. Opposites in every way, the two men at first seem to have little chance of ever finding common ground. But over the course of an impromptu, detour-filled car ride through the Scottish countryside, each begins to see the other less as an enemy, and more as an individual—a breakthrough that promises to at last bring peace to the troubled region.
Driven by two virtuoso central performances, The Journey is a more-relevant-than-ever reminder of how simple humanity can overcome political division. Freddie Highmore, Toby Stephens, Catherine McCormack and John Hurt co-star. (Review)
I recently spoke with the director of The Journey, award winning director Nick Hamm. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Hamm directed cult-classic The Hole (2001), starring Thora Birch and Keira Knightley, in her feature film debut. He also helmed Lionsgate’s thriller Godsend (2004), starring Robert DeNiro, Rebecca Romijn and Greg Kinnear.
Hamm later produced and directed the 80’s U2-centric comedy, Killing Bono (2011) for Paramount Pictures and Northern Ireland Screen, starring Ben Barnes, Robert Sheehan and Pete Postelwaite.
During our discussion about his latest movie, the British director and I talked about the film’s mixture of tension and humor, the human story and the message of The Journey.
We Are Movie Geeks: The Journey is a good story that should be told – the type that audiences don’t see anymore. It opened in 2016 in Toronto and then Venice, and finally had its premiere at the Belfast Film Festival in May 2017. What was the crowd’s reaction and how was it received?
Nick Hamm: That was a really extraordinary event. I’ve seen it now with thousands of people watching the movie and if you’re going to see a movie like this, you really need to take it back to Northern Ireland to see what they make of it. In the end, that’s where the authenticity of the film is. It is important to us. The event was attended by nearly a thousand people and political leaders from both sides of the community came so we had politicians from Sinn Féin and politicians from the Democratic Unionist Party (Dup). It was a very emotional and momentous event because in many respects it reminded people of something that they had achieved and had risked losing.
We Are Movie Geeks: It is such an interesting script by writer Colin Bateman, one that is funny, sad, and dramatic. Tell me about lead actors Timothy Spall (Paisley) and Colm Meaney (McGuinness – who died recently in March) and the casting. Their characters became known as ”the Chuckle Brothers”. Both actors were very impressive to watch.
Nick Hamm: What underscores everything is the fact that Colin’s script is so good and when that happens, you attract really good actors. Both Tim and Colm were fantastic partners on the film. Tim had to transform himself – he’s playing a six foot five, Northern Irish politician when in reality he’s a five foot nine London actor. We did some prosthetics on his chin and a little aging on his hair, along with the false teeth. The hair and makeup was done by Polly McKay. Tim became the character of Paisley which was fascinating to watch and he’s one of those actors that totally transforms himself.
Colm is one of Ireland’s best actors. What was important was to find somebody who could give McGuinness sympathy. This is a man whose background is well documented. What do you do? You start by making him human, you give him a life and a backstory. When you put someone like Colm Meany in that role, Colm transforms himself for that. He understands the culture from where that character comes, he understands the basis of that character’s ideology and he understands how that character ticks. If you have that and you are a good actor – which he is, then you have a good combination. It was great to watch him.
We Are Movie Geeks: I was very pleased to see the late John Hurt in the film in what was one of his final roles.
Nick Hamm: We all knew that John was very sick while he was doing the film. When we offered him the movie, he wanted to work until the end and play the part. It was real tribute to have him involved as a part of the film.
We Are Movie Geeks: Irish writer Seamus Heaney, although not a political animal was an artist like yourself. He was affected by “The Troubles” when his cousin Colum was killed as a result of the war – Heaney moved from Northern Ireland to Southern Ireland after that. Has it affected you in any way and was this a partial reason why you made the film?
Nick Hamm: It hasn’t affected me personally but I knew people who were. Growing up I was in school in Northern Ireland and I knew people who had real problems. I could see it with my own eyes, the difficulties back then, and it was an intense situation. The vast portion of the people in Northern Ireland went on about their daily life unaffected by it. The real heroes were the people who got on with their daily lives in that situation.
The Journey for me shows how a unique political friendship was achieved at the personal cost of both men. Both men were vilified by their respective communities, but it was one of the most unique political friendships that I had ever witnessed. For two people who were so antagonistic towards each other, who ultimately came to respect each other, and became friends with each other, is why I made the movie and to tell their story.
We Are Movie Geeks: Despite technically being set in Scotland, and on a plane, The Journey was filmed in Northern Ireland. There’s no green screen and it was filmed on the road with your director of photography Greg Gardiner. What was the approach when you took it out of the plane and into the car?
Nick Hamm: This device protected the claustrophobia that the film so demanded while allowing a political version of a road movie to take place. We decided to not be frightened by the tyranny of the car but rather embrace it and enjoy the conceit. Greg and I had discussed and ultimately rejected the idea of green-screen or back-projection very early. We filmed on the road, creating a ‘mobile studio’; our own little cinematic microcosm
We Are Movie Geeks: There is one scene in particular, where McGuiness and Paisley let down their defenses somewhat, set inside a church and then out in the cemetery, that has real depth.
Nick Hamm: I think in the cemetery scene when Colm breaks down, everyone expects Paisley to be sympathetic and wrap his arms around him, but he rebuffs him and shows him no pity or sympathy. Every scene was like a boxing match with each character winning a round.
We Are Movie Geeks: I appreciated the sound editing and especially the score from Stephen Warbeck who first became known for the music for “Prime Suspect” and won an Academy Award for his score for Shakespeare in Love. It is a really nice score.
Nick Hamm: It was something quite new for him and he really had a go at it.
We Are Movie Geeks: Did you speak to the families and to some of the individuals involved? And what was their reaction?
Nick Hamm: I met McGuiness before he died. The whole film came together very quickly from the start.. From the script to the financing, it was out in about two and a half years. It’s been a very quick process and very rare for an independent film. I did sit with McGuiness before we started filming about his friendship with Paisley and it was fascinating to hear him speak how important the relationship was and how important it was that they maintained contact up to its logical conclusion. I did talk to Paisley’s family and to his son. We wanted to reassure them we were not riding roughshod over the history. But at the same time it was important to be creatively independent. We did not share the screenplay with them at any stage. In the end both families really loved the movie.
Plus Sinn Féin and the Dup (Democratic Unionist Party) really liked the film, which is almost unheard of, both parties liking the same thing never mind the same movie. The most important thing for us was that the story was balanced.
We Are Movie Geeks: Brexit is seemingly in the news all the time now. As a result, checkpoints could be set up again to control borders. The timing of the film and its release couldn’t be more relevant. Will it cause a major headache between Northern Ireland and Ireland? Will it hinder Ireland’s reunification?
Nick Hamm: The question needs to be asked and it’s a dreadful situation. The idea that there will be a border back in Ireland again, I don’t think anybody wants that. I know for a fact that the Dup doesn’t want that and it would be suicide for both the economy and the welfare of the people to start putting border checks back up. That border in Ireland runs through people’s fields and farms. It was never designed to be a hard border, which it was during “The Troubles”. It would be an unmitigated tragedy to go back to that.
We Are Movie Geeks: Speaking of Indie Films, what are your thoughts on how people see films? Many are leaving the cinemas in favor of watching a film at home or on the computers with the advent of Netflix and Hulu, etc.
Nick Hamm: I like that at the beginning of a movie’s life that it has a public screening. I think the ways a film is distributed these days is really fascinating. I don’t distinguish between how and where a movie is watched. It’s changing so quickly, in five years-time it’ll change all again. Even the act of going to a movie theater is going to change. As long as they keep putting out these huge blockbuster films, in the cinemas is the best way to watch them. However some films work better on a smaller screen. I think screen size some people can get very worked up about.
We Are Movie Geeks: What’s your next project?
Nick Hamm: We are going to do the DeLorean story, Driven. It’s through the eyes of the guy who gave him up to the FBI. We’re hoping to shoot in September in Puerto Rico. The script is from The Journey’s Colin Bateman. Jason Sudeikis, Lee Pace and Timothy Olyphant are in the picture.
Synopsis:
Driven is the turbo-charged story about the FBI sting operation to entrap maverick car designer John DeLorean.
Sudeikis stars as Jim Hoffman, a con artist-turned-informer for the FBI in the war on drugs. Olyphant plays his handler, determined to snare the world-famous but enigmatic DeLorean (Pace) — desperate for cash to finance his dream of designing the ultimate car of the future — in a drug deal that would become the most lurid celebrity scandal of the 1980s.
From IFC Films, see The Journey in theaters now.
The post The Journey – Filmmaker Nick Hamm Discusses His New Film appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.
Each summer, while the multiplexes are filled with the big spectacles and epic blockbusters, the little gems that grip us with their humor, their tragedy and their humanity, manage to find their ways into the cinemas. This year it’s The Journey, the gripping account of how two men from opposite sides of the political spectrum came together to change the course of history.
In 2006, amidst the ongoing, decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, representatives from the two warring factions meet for negotiations. In one corner is Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall), the deeply conservative British loyalist; in the other is Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), a former Irish Republican Army leader who has devoted his life to the cause of Irish reunification. Opposites in every way, the two men at first seem to have little chance of ever finding common ground. But over the course of an impromptu, detour-filled car ride through the Scottish countryside, each begins to see the other less as an enemy, and more as an individual—a breakthrough that promises to at last bring peace to the troubled region.
Driven by two virtuoso central performances, The Journey is a more-relevant-than-ever reminder of how simple humanity can overcome political division. Freddie Highmore, Toby Stephens, Catherine McCormack and John Hurt co-star. (Review)
I recently spoke with the director of The Journey, award winning director Nick Hamm. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Hamm directed cult-classic The Hole (2001), starring Thora Birch and Keira Knightley, in her feature film debut. He also helmed Lionsgate’s thriller Godsend (2004), starring Robert DeNiro, Rebecca Romijn and Greg Kinnear.
Hamm later produced and directed the 80’s U2-centric comedy, Killing Bono (2011) for Paramount Pictures and Northern Ireland Screen, starring Ben Barnes, Robert Sheehan and Pete Postelwaite.
During our discussion about his latest movie, the British director and I talked about the film’s mixture of tension and humor, the human story and the message of The Journey.
We Are Movie Geeks: The Journey is a good story that should be told – the type that audiences don’t see anymore. It opened in 2016 in Toronto and then Venice, and finally had its premiere at the Belfast Film Festival in May 2017. What was the crowd’s reaction and how was it received?
Nick Hamm: That was a really extraordinary event. I’ve seen it now with thousands of people watching the movie and if you’re going to see a movie like this, you really need to take it back to Northern Ireland to see what they make of it. In the end, that’s where the authenticity of the film is. It is important to us. The event was attended by nearly a thousand people and political leaders from both sides of the community came so we had politicians from Sinn Féin and politicians from the Democratic Unionist Party (Dup). It was a very emotional and momentous event because in many respects it reminded people of something that they had achieved and had risked losing.
We Are Movie Geeks: It is such an interesting script by writer Colin Bateman, one that is funny, sad, and dramatic. Tell me about lead actors Timothy Spall (Paisley) and Colm Meaney (McGuinness – who died recently in March) and the casting. Their characters became known as ”the Chuckle Brothers”. Both actors were very impressive to watch.
Nick Hamm: What underscores everything is the fact that Colin’s script is so good and when that happens, you attract really good actors. Both Tim and Colm were fantastic partners on the film. Tim had to transform himself – he’s playing a six foot five, Northern Irish politician when in reality he’s a five foot nine London actor. We did some prosthetics on his chin and a little aging on his hair, along with the false teeth. The hair and makeup was done by Polly McKay. Tim became the character of Paisley which was fascinating to watch and he’s one of those actors that totally transforms himself.
Colm is one of Ireland’s best actors. What was important was to find somebody who could give McGuinness sympathy. This is a man whose background is well documented. What do you do? You start by making him human, you give him a life and a backstory. When you put someone like Colm Meany in that role, Colm transforms himself for that. He understands the culture from where that character comes, he understands the basis of that character’s ideology and he understands how that character ticks. If you have that and you are a good actor – which he is, then you have a good combination. It was great to watch him.
We Are Movie Geeks: I was very pleased to see the late John Hurt in the film in what was one of his final roles.
Nick Hamm: We all knew that John was very sick while he was doing the film. When we offered him the movie, he wanted to work until the end and play the part. It was real tribute to have him involved as a part of the film.
We Are Movie Geeks: Irish writer Seamus Heaney, although not a political animal was an artist like yourself. He was affected by “The Troubles” when his cousin Colum was killed as a result of the war – Heaney moved from Northern Ireland to Southern Ireland after that. Has it affected you in any way and was this a partial reason why you made the film?
Nick Hamm: It hasn’t affected me personally but I knew people who were. Growing up I was in school in Northern Ireland and I knew people who had real problems. I could see it with my own eyes, the difficulties back then, and it was an intense situation. The vast portion of the people in Northern Ireland went on about their daily life unaffected by it. The real heroes were the people who got on with their daily lives in that situation.
The Journey for me shows how a unique political friendship was achieved at the personal cost of both men. Both men were vilified by their respective communities, but it was one of the most unique political friendships that I had ever witnessed. For two people who were so antagonistic towards each other, who ultimately came to respect each other, and became friends with each other, is why I made the movie and to tell their story.
We Are Movie Geeks: Despite technically being set in Scotland, and on a plane, The Journey was filmed in Northern Ireland. There’s no green screen and it was filmed on the road with your director of photography Greg Gardiner. What was the approach when you took it out of the plane and into the car?
Nick Hamm: This device protected the claustrophobia that the film so demanded while allowing a political version of a road movie to take place. We decided to not be frightened by the tyranny of the car but rather embrace it and enjoy the conceit. Greg and I had discussed and ultimately rejected the idea of green-screen or back-projection very early. We filmed on the road, creating a ‘mobile studio’; our own little cinematic microcosm
We Are Movie Geeks: There is one scene in particular, where McGuiness and Paisley let down their defenses somewhat, set inside a church and then out in the cemetery, that has real depth.
Nick Hamm: I think in the cemetery scene when Colm breaks down, everyone expects Paisley to be sympathetic and wrap his arms around him, but he rebuffs him and shows him no pity or sympathy. Every scene was like a boxing match with each character winning a round.
We Are Movie Geeks: I appreciated the sound editing and especially the score from Stephen Warbeck who first became known for the music for “Prime Suspect” and won an Academy Award for his score for Shakespeare in Love. It is a really nice score.
Nick Hamm: It was something quite new for him and he really had a go at it.
We Are Movie Geeks: Did you speak to the families and to some of the individuals involved? And what was their reaction?
Nick Hamm: I met McGuiness before he died. The whole film came together very quickly from the start.. From the script to the financing, it was out in about two and a half years. It’s been a very quick process and very rare for an independent film. I did sit with McGuiness before we started filming about his friendship with Paisley and it was fascinating to hear him speak how important the relationship was and how important it was that they maintained contact up to its logical conclusion. I did talk to Paisley’s family and to his son. We wanted to reassure them we were not riding roughshod over the history. But at the same time it was important to be creatively independent. We did not share the screenplay with them at any stage. In the end both families really loved the movie.
Plus Sinn Féin and the Dup (Democratic Unionist Party) really liked the film, which is almost unheard of, both parties liking the same thing never mind the same movie. The most important thing for us was that the story was balanced.
We Are Movie Geeks: Brexit is seemingly in the news all the time now. As a result, checkpoints could be set up again to control borders. The timing of the film and its release couldn’t be more relevant. Will it cause a major headache between Northern Ireland and Ireland? Will it hinder Ireland’s reunification?
Nick Hamm: The question needs to be asked and it’s a dreadful situation. The idea that there will be a border back in Ireland again, I don’t think anybody wants that. I know for a fact that the Dup doesn’t want that and it would be suicide for both the economy and the welfare of the people to start putting border checks back up. That border in Ireland runs through people’s fields and farms. It was never designed to be a hard border, which it was during “The Troubles”. It would be an unmitigated tragedy to go back to that.
We Are Movie Geeks: Speaking of Indie Films, what are your thoughts on how people see films? Many are leaving the cinemas in favor of watching a film at home or on the computers with the advent of Netflix and Hulu, etc.
Nick Hamm: I like that at the beginning of a movie’s life that it has a public screening. I think the ways a film is distributed these days is really fascinating. I don’t distinguish between how and where a movie is watched. It’s changing so quickly, in five years-time it’ll change all again. Even the act of going to a movie theater is going to change. As long as they keep putting out these huge blockbuster films, in the cinemas is the best way to watch them. However some films work better on a smaller screen. I think screen size some people can get very worked up about.
We Are Movie Geeks: What’s your next project?
Nick Hamm: We are going to do the DeLorean story, Driven. It’s through the eyes of the guy who gave him up to the FBI. We’re hoping to shoot in September in Puerto Rico. The script is from The Journey’s Colin Bateman. Jason Sudeikis, Lee Pace and Timothy Olyphant are in the picture.
Synopsis:
Driven is the turbo-charged story about the FBI sting operation to entrap maverick car designer John DeLorean.
Sudeikis stars as Jim Hoffman, a con artist-turned-informer for the FBI in the war on drugs. Olyphant plays his handler, determined to snare the world-famous but enigmatic DeLorean (Pace) — desperate for cash to finance his dream of designing the ultimate car of the future — in a drug deal that would become the most lurid celebrity scandal of the 1980s.
From IFC Films, see The Journey in theaters now.
The post The Journey – Filmmaker Nick Hamm Discusses His New Film appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.
- 6/23/2017
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Is it possible to whittle away at an “unmovable rock” in the political arena? Especially when there’s a 40 year history of bloody conflict forming an unbreakable shell around that formidable boulder? Well, how about forcing him into a trip with his enemy? That’s just what happens in this new film, in which its makers wish to be a “fly on the wall” during a remarkable day that changed the course of a country. It’s a “what if” look at a seminal time just 11 years ago when two opposing leaders try to find common ground during The Journey.
The year is 2006, and “the troubles” have rocked Ireland for over four decades. British Prime Minister Tony Blair (Toby Stephens) has organized a political conference dealing with the problems at an estate in Scotland. Unfortunately the opposing forces refuse to sit in the same room, let alone talk face to face.
The year is 2006, and “the troubles” have rocked Ireland for over four decades. British Prime Minister Tony Blair (Toby Stephens) has organized a political conference dealing with the problems at an estate in Scotland. Unfortunately the opposing forces refuse to sit in the same room, let alone talk face to face.
- 6/15/2017
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
MaryAnn’s quick take… This fictional dialogue inspired by a private meeting between real-life enemies can’t muster up more than the usual banalities about the ethics of politics and war. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Now, it is true that in 2006, during the Northern Ireland peace process, enemy leaders Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness had a private meeting, after which real progress was made and a power-sharing government for the country was formed with them as, respectively, first minister and deputy first minister. The men had never even spoken before: with Paisley as head of the extremely conservative, pro-uk Democratic Unionist Party and McGuinness as former head of the independence-seeking Irish Republican Army and member of the left-wing political party Sinn Féin, they were almost literally mortal enemies on opposite sides of the...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Now, it is true that in 2006, during the Northern Ireland peace process, enemy leaders Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness had a private meeting, after which real progress was made and a power-sharing government for the country was formed with them as, respectively, first minister and deputy first minister. The men had never even spoken before: with Paisley as head of the extremely conservative, pro-uk Democratic Unionist Party and McGuinness as former head of the independence-seeking Irish Republican Army and member of the left-wing political party Sinn Féin, they were almost literally mortal enemies on opposite sides of the...
- 6/15/2017
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Plot: A fictionalized account of the 2006 meeting between British Unionist leader Rev. Ian Paisley and Irish Republican Martin McGuinness, which was meant to end the decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles. Review: One wouldn't expect to hear a Snakes On A Plane reference in a movie like The Journey, but there it is. It's somewhat emblematic of the surprisingly... Read More...
- 6/14/2017
- by Eric Walkuski
- JoBlo.com
Alongside the big summer blockbusters comes the smaller cinematic gems that everyone appreciates and everyone looks forward to. 2017 is no different with such motion picture offerings such as The Book Of Henry, Chuck, The Beguiled, Brigsby Bear and The Journey.
An Official Selection at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, director Nick Hamm’s long-awaited drama premiered at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on September 7, 2016.
Watch the trailer for The Journey below.
The Journey is the gripping account of how two men from opposite sides of the political spectrum came together to change the course of history. In 2006, amidst the ongoing, decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, representatives from the two warring factions meet for negotiations. In one corner is Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall), the deeply conservative British loyalist; in the other is Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), a former Irish Republican Army leader who has devoted his life to the cause of Irish reunification.
An Official Selection at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, director Nick Hamm’s long-awaited drama premiered at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on September 7, 2016.
Watch the trailer for The Journey below.
The Journey is the gripping account of how two men from opposite sides of the political spectrum came together to change the course of history. In 2006, amidst the ongoing, decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, representatives from the two warring factions meet for negotiations. In one corner is Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall), the deeply conservative British loyalist; in the other is Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), a former Irish Republican Army leader who has devoted his life to the cause of Irish reunification.
- 5/19/2017
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Political drama The Journey depicts the unlikely partnership of two former enemies: unionist politician Ian Paisley, portrayed by Timothy Spall, and Ira commander-turned-peacemaker Martin McGuinness, played by Colm Meaney. The pair discuss the political legacy of their characters and the future of Northern Ireland
The Journey is in UK cinemas now, and is released in Us cinemas on 16 June Continue reading...
The Journey is in UK cinemas now, and is released in Us cinemas on 16 June Continue reading...
- 5/5/2017
- by Gwilym Mumford and Jonross Swaby
- The Guardian - Film News
Timothy Spall has spoken of his apprehension about playing Dr Ian Paisley in his latest film The Journey. The Harry Potter actor revealed this ahead of the movie’s general release and after meeting the family of the late Northern Ireland first minister before its premiere in Belfast. A fictional account of the relationship between Paisley and Martin McGuinness – who is played by Irish veteran Colm Meaney – it centres around how the two sworn enemies from opposite sides of the political divide in Ulster became firm friends.
But could such a seasoned pro, a master of both stage and screen, really get so nervous?
“Yeah I did, enormous. For a start I thought I never saw that coming round the corner, I never thought that I would be in the frame for something like that, but then I was incredibly intrigued by it. Slightly afraid of it because I thought...
But could such a seasoned pro, a master of both stage and screen, really get so nervous?
“Yeah I did, enormous. For a start I thought I never saw that coming round the corner, I never thought that I would be in the frame for something like that, but then I was incredibly intrigued by it. Slightly afraid of it because I thought...
- 5/5/2017
- by Dan Green
- The Cultural Post
Colm Meaney and Timothy Spall play Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley in this well-intentioned what-if drama set during Northern Ireland’s peace talks
Nick Hamm’s The Journey is a speculative what-if drama about a vital and mysterious aspect of the Northern Ireland peace process: the extraordinary rapprochement between two old enemies – the Dup’s Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness. Since I saw this film’s premiere at Venice last year, McGuinness has died, there is political instability, and Brexit threatens to disturb a hard-won peace accord. So this film really is more relevant than ever. A reconsideration was in order. But I have to admit to being left with the same problems.
Despite intelligent performances from Colm Meaney and Timothy Spall as McGuinness and Paisley, it is a strained odd-couple fantasy bromance with some very contrived moments. Something which might have stood up as a shorter piece for television – or,...
Nick Hamm’s The Journey is a speculative what-if drama about a vital and mysterious aspect of the Northern Ireland peace process: the extraordinary rapprochement between two old enemies – the Dup’s Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness. Since I saw this film’s premiere at Venice last year, McGuinness has died, there is political instability, and Brexit threatens to disturb a hard-won peace accord. So this film really is more relevant than ever. A reconsideration was in order. But I have to admit to being left with the same problems.
Despite intelligent performances from Colm Meaney and Timothy Spall as McGuinness and Paisley, it is a strained odd-couple fantasy bromance with some very contrived moments. Something which might have stood up as a shorter piece for television – or,...
- 5/5/2017
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The star of The Journey reveals how his own involvement with Sinn Féin helped him understand the late Ira commander turned peacemaker
As a Dubliner who has lived in Los Angeles for three decades, Colm Meaney says he always keeps an eye out for Irish scripts – but he confesses to a slight feeling of dread when one lands on his doormat. Cliched characters, simplistic politics, shonky dialogue – he’s seen them all. The 63-year-old has been lucky with some – particularly the trilogy of Roddy Doyle adaptions that began with 1991’s The Commitments and won him a Golden Globe nomination for The Snapper two years later – and less blessed with others that have come his way. “Oh yes. Mentioning no names but … oh yeah.”
So when he first heard about the Northern Irish novelist Colin Bateman’s script for a drama about Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, with the latter role potentially his,...
As a Dubliner who has lived in Los Angeles for three decades, Colm Meaney says he always keeps an eye out for Irish scripts – but he confesses to a slight feeling of dread when one lands on his doormat. Cliched characters, simplistic politics, shonky dialogue – he’s seen them all. The 63-year-old has been lucky with some – particularly the trilogy of Roddy Doyle adaptions that began with 1991’s The Commitments and won him a Golden Globe nomination for The Snapper two years later – and less blessed with others that have come his way. “Oh yes. Mentioning no names but … oh yeah.”
So when he first heard about the Northern Irish novelist Colin Bateman’s script for a drama about Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, with the latter role potentially his,...
- 5/3/2017
- by Esther Addley
- The Guardian - Film News
Author: Stefan Pape
For actors, all you can hope for are good roles. Whether they be fictional creations, or real life people – it’s that yearning to be challenged artistically which brings about some of the very finest on-screen performances. In Nick Hamm’s The Journey that much is a given, for Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney play Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, respectively.
To mark the release of this drama – which sees the two stuck in a car together for a number of hours, ahead of the eventual, significant moment where peace was finally brought to Northern Ireland after the Troubles, we sat down with the talented duo about the joys in getting their teeth stuck into such nuanced, layered roles.
The pair also discuss the blending of fact and fiction, and Meaney tells us if he knows whether McGuinness had seen the movie before his passing. Meanwhile, we...
For actors, all you can hope for are good roles. Whether they be fictional creations, or real life people – it’s that yearning to be challenged artistically which brings about some of the very finest on-screen performances. In Nick Hamm’s The Journey that much is a given, for Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney play Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, respectively.
To mark the release of this drama – which sees the two stuck in a car together for a number of hours, ahead of the eventual, significant moment where peace was finally brought to Northern Ireland after the Troubles, we sat down with the talented duo about the joys in getting their teeth stuck into such nuanced, layered roles.
The pair also discuss the blending of fact and fiction, and Meaney tells us if he knows whether McGuinness had seen the movie before his passing. Meanwhile, we...
- 5/3/2017
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Author: Hannah Woodhead
The Journey might well be described as a project that’s close to home for director Nick Hamm. He grew up in Belfast, and has chosen to revisit the territory for his eighth feature film, which depicts the relationship between life-long political enemies Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness towards the end of The Troubles in 2006. Taking some poetic license but based in fact, the film imagines a journey the two politicians make from Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport in order to catch a plane, and what they might have discussed along the way.
The premise is a familiar one, likely inspired by Stephen Frears’ The Queen and Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech, but this time the execution is unfortunately poor, and the film suffers from its meandering pace. It also seems somehow afraid of its source material, tiptoeing around the atrocities that occurred in Northern Ireland...
The Journey might well be described as a project that’s close to home for director Nick Hamm. He grew up in Belfast, and has chosen to revisit the territory for his eighth feature film, which depicts the relationship between life-long political enemies Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness towards the end of The Troubles in 2006. Taking some poetic license but based in fact, the film imagines a journey the two politicians make from Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport in order to catch a plane, and what they might have discussed along the way.
The premise is a familiar one, likely inspired by Stephen Frears’ The Queen and Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech, but this time the execution is unfortunately poor, and the film suffers from its meandering pace. It also seems somehow afraid of its source material, tiptoeing around the atrocities that occurred in Northern Ireland...
- 5/2/2017
- by Hannah Woodhead
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Northern Irish politicians make an intriguing cinematic pairing, but there are even more fiery duos that film could fictionalise
Nick Hamm’s new film The Journey tells of the decades-long enmity, followed by the highly surprising friendship, between Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness as they laboured towards the Anglo-Irish agreement. It slots neatly into a favourite mini-genre of mine, mostly cornered by screenwriter Peter Morgan, who has made half a career of creating dramatic face-offs between real-life figures with diametrically opposed worldviews: Lord Longford and Myra Hindley (Longford); Brian Clough and Don Revie (The Damned United) and James Hunt and Niki Lauda (Rush). Other film-makers have taken up the format, too, in My Week With Marilyn, The King’s Speech and now The Journey.
Related: How Paisley and McGuinness's journey to peace ended at Venice film festival
Continue reading...
Nick Hamm’s new film The Journey tells of the decades-long enmity, followed by the highly surprising friendship, between Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness as they laboured towards the Anglo-Irish agreement. It slots neatly into a favourite mini-genre of mine, mostly cornered by screenwriter Peter Morgan, who has made half a career of creating dramatic face-offs between real-life figures with diametrically opposed worldviews: Lord Longford and Myra Hindley (Longford); Brian Clough and Don Revie (The Damned United) and James Hunt and Niki Lauda (Rush). Other film-makers have taken up the format, too, in My Week With Marilyn, The King’s Speech and now The Journey.
Related: How Paisley and McGuinness's journey to peace ended at Venice film festival
Continue reading...
- 5/1/2017
- by John Patterson
- The Guardian - Film News
Author: Zehra Phelan
We are pleased to launch an exclusive first look at Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney in the UK poster for The Journey – the story of two of Northern Ireland’s political forces, loyalist Ian Paisley and former Ira Commander Martin McGuinness, forced together over the final peace agreement, who reluctantly begin to form a bond.
Related: Timothy Spall on playing David Irving in Denial
The poster in which Spall looks uncannily like how Ben Stiller would look in his dotage depicts both men in their stature of power yet divided by the title, a reference to the division of Ireland as it stands, in both its political and religious beliefs.
The Hole and Killing Bono director, Nick Hamm, takes the helm to bring to life a script from screenwriter and former journalist, Colin Bateman. Joining Meaney and Spall is somewhat of a stellar cast with Toby Stephens (Believe,...
We are pleased to launch an exclusive first look at Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney in the UK poster for The Journey – the story of two of Northern Ireland’s political forces, loyalist Ian Paisley and former Ira Commander Martin McGuinness, forced together over the final peace agreement, who reluctantly begin to form a bond.
Related: Timothy Spall on playing David Irving in Denial
The poster in which Spall looks uncannily like how Ben Stiller would look in his dotage depicts both men in their stature of power yet divided by the title, a reference to the division of Ireland as it stands, in both its political and religious beliefs.
The Hole and Killing Bono director, Nick Hamm, takes the helm to bring to life a script from screenwriter and former journalist, Colin Bateman. Joining Meaney and Spall is somewhat of a stellar cast with Toby Stephens (Believe,...
- 4/7/2017
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
While a story of opponents on the farthest ends of the political spectrum coming together to find agreement seems like a pipe dream in today’s world, it did happen — at least once. The first trailer has arrived for The Journey, the latest drama from director Nick Hamm. Starring Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney, the film tells the fictional account of two political adversaries who are forced to take a small road trip together, leading to changes of hearts and the shifting of history’s course.
Penned by Colin Bateman and lensed by Greg Gardiner, The Journey looks to be a dramatic portrait of allegiances and differences with a lush color palette and mise en scené. See the trailer below, along with a synopsis, for the film that also stars John Hurt, Ian McElhinney, and Freddie Highmore.
The Journey is the gripping account of how two men from opposite sides...
Penned by Colin Bateman and lensed by Greg Gardiner, The Journey looks to be a dramatic portrait of allegiances and differences with a lush color palette and mise en scené. See the trailer below, along with a synopsis, for the film that also stars John Hurt, Ian McElhinney, and Freddie Highmore.
The Journey is the gripping account of how two men from opposite sides...
- 4/3/2017
- by Mike Mazzanti
- The Film Stage
Based on real life events in 2006, The Journey follows a detour filled road trip which just so happened to involve the two men who changed the course of history in Northern Ireland: deeply conservative British loyalist leader Ian Paisley (an almost unrecognisable Timothy Spall) and the former Ira leader committed to Irish unification, Martin McGuinness (Colm Meany). From the opening frame, you will be gripped by the central performances from Meaney and Spall, bringing real humanity to these larger than life figures most of us have only ever seen on the t.v. screen. The relevance of this movie will not be lost on people, and this one movie you should put on your radar right now. Released: June 16th...
- 3/31/2017
- by noreply@blogger.com (Tom White)
- www.themoviebit.com
Feature trailer is below for 'The Journey,' directed by Nick Hamm it stars Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, Freddie Highmore, Toby Stephens, John Hurt, Catherine McCormack, Timothy Spall and Ian McElhinney.
'The Journey' is the gripping account of how two men from opposite sides of the political spectrum came together to change the course of history. In 2006, amidst the ongoing, decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, representatives from the two warring factions meet for negotiations. In one corner is Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall), the deeply conservative British loyalist; in the other is Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), a former Irish Republican Army leader who has devoted his life to the cause of Irish reunification.
Opposites in every way, the two men at first seem to have little chance of ever finding common ground. But over the course of an impromptu, detour-filled car ride through the Scottish countryside, each begins...
'The Journey' is the gripping account of how two men from opposite sides of the political spectrum came together to change the course of history. In 2006, amidst the ongoing, decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, representatives from the two warring factions meet for negotiations. In one corner is Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall), the deeply conservative British loyalist; in the other is Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), a former Irish Republican Army leader who has devoted his life to the cause of Irish reunification.
Opposites in every way, the two men at first seem to have little chance of ever finding common ground. But over the course of an impromptu, detour-filled car ride through the Scottish countryside, each begins...
- 3/30/2017
- by noreply@blogger.com (Flicks News)
- FlicksNews.net
"I know it will take a miracle for these two to work things out." IFC Films has debuted a trailer for an indie drama titled The Journey, telling a fictional account of "an impromptu, detour-filled car ride through the Scottish countryside" where two opposing politicians realize they're more alike than different. Set in 2006, amidst the ongoing, decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, Timothy Spall plays the British loyalist Ian Paisley, and Colm Meaney plays former Ira leader Martin McGuinness dedicated to reunification. The cast includes Toby Stephens as Tony Blair, plus Freddie Highmore, Catherine McCormack, Ian Beattie, and John Hurt in one of his final roles. I'm interested in this to see the two different perspectives and what insight each gains from each other, but also for the powerful performances from these fine actors. Here's the first official trailer for Nick Hamm's The Journey, direct from YouTube (via Tmb):...
- 3/30/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Expanding Swen Group strikes deal with Im Global for Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ drama starring Timothy Spall.
The Swen Group has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Venice and Toronto drama The Journey from Im Global.
The acquisition will mark the first UK release for the growing distributor, which recently expanded into Us distribution.
The company, known for its acquisitions in Latin America, is understood to be finalising deals for The Journey in other major European territories and is eyeing further acquisitions for the UK and Us.
Swen will partner with Shear Entertainment on the UK theatrical release, which is earmarked for June 30.
The deal was brokered by Michael Rothstein on behalf of Im Global and Swen Group founder Murray Lipnik.
The Journey, starring Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney, charts a fictional meeting between adversarial Northern Ireland politicians Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness.
The film was...
The Swen Group has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Venice and Toronto drama The Journey from Im Global.
The acquisition will mark the first UK release for the growing distributor, which recently expanded into Us distribution.
The company, known for its acquisitions in Latin America, is understood to be finalising deals for The Journey in other major European territories and is eyeing further acquisitions for the UK and Us.
Swen will partner with Shear Entertainment on the UK theatrical release, which is earmarked for June 30.
The deal was brokered by Michael Rothstein on behalf of Im Global and Swen Group founder Murray Lipnik.
The Journey, starring Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney, charts a fictional meeting between adversarial Northern Ireland politicians Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness.
The film was...
- 3/3/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Two more Toronto deals emerged on Friday in a traditional late-festival acquisitions surge.
IFC Films took North American rights to Nick Hamm’s The Journey, which launched in Venice and received its North American premiere in Special Presentations in Toronto and screens again on Saturday.
Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, John Hurt, Toby Stephens and Freddie Highmore star in the story about the growing friendship between former political enemies, loyalist firebrand Ian Paisley and former Ira commander Martin McGuinness, over the course of the Irish peace process.
Colin Bateman wrote the screenplay. Piers Tempest, Mark Huffam, Matt Jackson, Im Global CEO Stuart Ford and Hamm produced, while the executive producers are Jo Bamford, Norman Merry, Janine Modder, and Miguel Palos Jr.
Im Global financed the film with support from North Ireland Screen and Lipsynch Post and handled international sales. IFC Films brokered the deal with CAA and Im Global and plans a mid-2017 theatrical release.
Meanwhile, Cohen...
IFC Films took North American rights to Nick Hamm’s The Journey, which launched in Venice and received its North American premiere in Special Presentations in Toronto and screens again on Saturday.
Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, John Hurt, Toby Stephens and Freddie Highmore star in the story about the growing friendship between former political enemies, loyalist firebrand Ian Paisley and former Ira commander Martin McGuinness, over the course of the Irish peace process.
Colin Bateman wrote the screenplay. Piers Tempest, Mark Huffam, Matt Jackson, Im Global CEO Stuart Ford and Hamm produced, while the executive producers are Jo Bamford, Norman Merry, Janine Modder, and Miguel Palos Jr.
Im Global financed the film with support from North Ireland Screen and Lipsynch Post and handled international sales. IFC Films brokered the deal with CAA and Im Global and plans a mid-2017 theatrical release.
Meanwhile, Cohen...
- 9/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Two more Toronto deals emerged on Friday in a traditional late-festival acquisitions surge.
IFC Films took North American rights to Nick Hamm’s The Journey, which launched in Venice and received its North American premiere in Special Presentations in Toronto and screens again on Saturday.
Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, John Hurt, Toby Stephens and Freddie Highmore star in the story about the growing friendship between former political enemies, loyalist firebrand Ian Paisley and former Ira commander Martin McGuinness, over the course of the Irish peace process.
Colin Bateman wrote the screenplay. Piers Tempest, Mark Huffam, Matt Jackson, Im Global CEO Stuart Ford and Hamm produced, while the executive producers are Jo Bamford, Norman Merry, Janine Modder, and Miguel Palos Jr.
Im Global financed the film with support from North Ireland Screen and Lipsynch Post and handled international sales. IFC Films brokered the deal with CAA and Im Global and plans a mid-2017 theatrical release.
Katell Quillévéré’s Heal...
IFC Films took North American rights to Nick Hamm’s The Journey, which launched in Venice and received its North American premiere in Special Presentations in Toronto and screens again on Saturday.
Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, John Hurt, Toby Stephens and Freddie Highmore star in the story about the growing friendship between former political enemies, loyalist firebrand Ian Paisley and former Ira commander Martin McGuinness, over the course of the Irish peace process.
Colin Bateman wrote the screenplay. Piers Tempest, Mark Huffam, Matt Jackson, Im Global CEO Stuart Ford and Hamm produced, while the executive producers are Jo Bamford, Norman Merry, Janine Modder, and Miguel Palos Jr.
Im Global financed the film with support from North Ireland Screen and Lipsynch Post and handled international sales. IFC Films brokered the deal with CAA and Im Global and plans a mid-2017 theatrical release.
Katell Quillévéré’s Heal...
- 9/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
IFC Films has acquired the North American rights to “The Journey,” a real-life drama that follows the unlikely friendship between sworn political enemies Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness at the conclusion of the “troubles” in Northern Ireland. After 40 years of violence in Northern Ireland, loyalist leader Paisley and former Irish Republican Army Commander McGuinness meet at St. Andrews to hammer out a peace agreement. While the talks are buckling, the two men take a car ride together where they begin to break down walls and sow the seeds of a future friendship. Nick Hamm directed the film, which stars Timothy Spall,...
- 9/16/2016
- by Matt Pressberg
- The Wrap
Director Nick Hamm and writer Colin Bateman reveal how they negotiated Northern Ireland’s political minefield to find the heart of The Journey, which had its world premiere this week
When Ian Paisley stood up in the European Parliament in 1988 to denounce the Pope as the Antichrist, or when Martin McGuinness was jailed in the Irish republic in 1973 for running arms, no one could have imagined that either man would become the subject of a major international film. But that is exactly what is happening at the Venice film festival, as The Journey receives its world premiere, with Timothy Spall playing Paisley and Colm Meaney playing McGuinness.
Related: The Journey review – Northern Ireland history lesson recast as bromance
Continue reading...
When Ian Paisley stood up in the European Parliament in 1988 to denounce the Pope as the Antichrist, or when Martin McGuinness was jailed in the Irish republic in 1973 for running arms, no one could have imagined that either man would become the subject of a major international film. But that is exactly what is happening at the Venice film festival, as The Journey receives its world premiere, with Timothy Spall playing Paisley and Colm Meaney playing McGuinness.
Related: The Journey review – Northern Ireland history lesson recast as bromance
Continue reading...
- 9/7/2016
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
This fictionalised take on how Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness set aside sectarian hatred to pursue peace talks pitches Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney into odd-couple comedy while simultaneously tiptoeing on eggshells
It sounds like a segment from The X Factor – or possibly like something inspired by Tony Blair’s autobiography, which famously wouldn’t even commit itself to the definite article: A Journey. Actually it’s a strained, dramatically inert and often frankly silly odd-couple bromance fantasy about the Northern Ireland peace process negotiations. The film looks like a borderline-acceptable TV play (lasting an hour) or conceivably a stage play that Peter Morgan could have done something with. Actually, the movie’s scene with a crashed car and a deer appears to have been inspired by The Queen, written by Morgan.
The question it sets out to ask is perfectly valid: how on earth did the Dup veteran Rev Ian Paisley...
It sounds like a segment from The X Factor – or possibly like something inspired by Tony Blair’s autobiography, which famously wouldn’t even commit itself to the definite article: A Journey. Actually it’s a strained, dramatically inert and often frankly silly odd-couple bromance fantasy about the Northern Ireland peace process negotiations. The film looks like a borderline-acceptable TV play (lasting an hour) or conceivably a stage play that Peter Morgan could have done something with. Actually, the movie’s scene with a crashed car and a deer appears to have been inspired by The Queen, written by Morgan.
The question it sets out to ask is perfectly valid: how on earth did the Dup veteran Rev Ian Paisley...
- 9/7/2016
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Adele proved once again she's far more than your average superstar. The 25 singer - who opened her world tour in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Monday - made time to visit the home of seriously ill fan Rebecca Gibney, 12, mere hours before her second concert on Tuesday. "I am in shock, I got my baby's dream to come true," the child's mother Tracy told Belfast Live shortly after the visit in Belfast's Short Strand area. "She was so nice - she could not have been nicer." The proud mom continued: "Adele was sat beside her and she was talking to me and my other kid,...
- 3/2/2016
- by Philip Boucher, @philipboucher
- PEOPLE.com
Adele proved once again she's far more than your average superstar. The 25 singer - who opened her world tour in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Monday - made time to visit the home of seriously ill fan Rebecca Gibney, 12, mere hours before her second concert on Tuesday. "I am in shock, I got my baby's dream to come true," the child's mother Tracy told Belfast Live shortly after the visit in Belfast's Short Strand area. "She was so nice - she could not have been nicer." The proud mom continued: "Adele was sat beside her and she was talking to me and my other kid,...
- 3/2/2016
- by Philip Boucher, @philipboucher
- PEOPLE.com
Colm Meaney stars in Nick Hamm's The Journey as Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness opposite Timothy Spall as the late Sir Ian Paisley. The film is a fictional account of the extraordinary story of two implacable enemies in Northern Ireland — firebrand Democratic Unionist Party leader Paisley and Republican stalwart McGuinness— who are forced to take a short journey together in which they will take the biggest leap of faith and change the course of modern history. It…...
- 10/9/2015
- Deadline
The Journey
The first photo is out from Nick Hamm's Irish political dramedy "The Journey" which just began shooting in Belfast. The photo show Timothy Spall as Protestant loyalist firebrand the Reverend Dr Ian Paisley, whilst Colm Meaney is set to play the republican Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness.
The story is set during the Northern Ireland Peace Process and deals with a short trip these two previously sworn enemies made together. Also onboard are Freddie Highmore, John Hurt and Toby Stephens as Tony Blair. [Source: Empire]
Nocturnal Animals
Karl Glusman ("Love 3D") has joined the cast of Tom Ford's second directorial effort "Nocturnal Animals" for Focus Features. Based on Austin Wright’s 1993 novel "Tony And Susan," the story follows a woman whose life is changed when she receives a package containing the manuscript of her ex-husband’s first novel.
Reading it pulls her into the life of a fictional ordinary...
The first photo is out from Nick Hamm's Irish political dramedy "The Journey" which just began shooting in Belfast. The photo show Timothy Spall as Protestant loyalist firebrand the Reverend Dr Ian Paisley, whilst Colm Meaney is set to play the republican Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness.
The story is set during the Northern Ireland Peace Process and deals with a short trip these two previously sworn enemies made together. Also onboard are Freddie Highmore, John Hurt and Toby Stephens as Tony Blair. [Source: Empire]
Nocturnal Animals
Karl Glusman ("Love 3D") has joined the cast of Tom Ford's second directorial effort "Nocturnal Animals" for Focus Features. Based on Austin Wright’s 1993 novel "Tony And Susan," the story follows a woman whose life is changed when she receives a package containing the manuscript of her ex-husband’s first novel.
Reading it pulls her into the life of a fictional ordinary...
- 10/6/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Shooting has just started on Nick Hamm's Irish political dramedy The Journey, and with that comes the first still. Have a look at Timothy Spall playing Protestant loyalist firebrand the Reverend Dr Ian Paisley, and Colm Meaney as the republican Sinn Féin politician Martin McGuinness.The film focuses on the time during the Northern Ireland Peace Process when - unthinkable in previous years - the two sworn enemies put their past actions behind them and begin to forge a friendship that allowed them to move forward. The drama takes place over a short trip the pair made together, by the end of which they were both changed - the journey of the title referring to more than just miles. Some wags even began referring to them as The Chuckle Brothers.Also in the cast are Toby Stephens as Prime Minister Tony Blair; Freddie Highmore as Jack, the young government...
- 10/5/2015
- EmpireOnline
Im Global’s The Journey begins production in Belfast.
Shooting has begun on The Journey, a dramatic comedy inspired by a turning point in British and Irish history.
The film focuses on the improbable friendship between two Northern Ireland political titans and implacable enemies, Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall) and Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney).
The plot of the film centres on a fictional journey Paisley and McGuinness take together that leads them to forge a friendship.
Additional cast includes Toby Stephens (Believe) as Prime Minister Tony Blair, Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as a young government employee tasked to drive Paisley and McGuinness on their journey, and John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as an accomplished veteran political fixer overseeing the St. Andrews Agreement.
Nick Hamm (The Hole, Killing Bono) directs, from a script by County Down-born novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman.
Independent studio Im Global is financing the film through its Acclaim speciality division, in association...
Shooting has begun on The Journey, a dramatic comedy inspired by a turning point in British and Irish history.
The film focuses on the improbable friendship between two Northern Ireland political titans and implacable enemies, Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall) and Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney).
The plot of the film centres on a fictional journey Paisley and McGuinness take together that leads them to forge a friendship.
Additional cast includes Toby Stephens (Believe) as Prime Minister Tony Blair, Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as a young government employee tasked to drive Paisley and McGuinness on their journey, and John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as an accomplished veteran political fixer overseeing the St. Andrews Agreement.
Nick Hamm (The Hole, Killing Bono) directs, from a script by County Down-born novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman.
Independent studio Im Global is financing the film through its Acclaim speciality division, in association...
- 10/5/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
With the two leading men in place – that would be Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley and Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness – the team behind political drama The Journey is adding cast members before starting to shoot later this month. John Hurt, Freddie Highmore and Toby Stephens are all aboard. Nick Hamm’s film chronicles the story of how two seemingly implacable enemies – Paisley, the fiery, vocal leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein’s McGuinness – had to find common ground and make history, becoming close friends in the process.According to Screen International, Hurt will be an unnamed political fixer who sorts things behind the scenes, Highmore will be Paisley’s driver and Stephens has the highest-profile role of the new additions: he’s playing Tony Blair. Wonder if he’ll be calling Michael Sheen up for tips?Working from a script by Colin Bateman that...
- 9/10/2015
- EmpireOnline
Freddy Highmore and John Hurt have also joined the dramatic comedy, which Im Global is introducing to international buyers here.
Production on The Journey, about the thawing of hostilities between sworn enemies Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness and their eventual role in sharing power in Northern Ireland, is scheduled to kick off in Northern Ireland and Scotland on September 28
Nick Hamm will direct from Colin Bateman’s screenplay, dubbed an occasionally fictitious account of the peace process that turned Unionist leader Paisley and Sinn Fein higher-up and former Ira commander McGuinness into friends.
Indeed the pair became such good friends that some dubbed them “the Chuckle Brothers” and McGuinness made headlines when he paid a heartfelt tribute at Paisley’s funeral last year.
Stephens will play former British prime minister Tony Blair, while Highmore will portray a young driver to Paisley and McGuinness and Hurt is cast as a political fixer. Timothy Spall will play...
Production on The Journey, about the thawing of hostilities between sworn enemies Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness and their eventual role in sharing power in Northern Ireland, is scheduled to kick off in Northern Ireland and Scotland on September 28
Nick Hamm will direct from Colin Bateman’s screenplay, dubbed an occasionally fictitious account of the peace process that turned Unionist leader Paisley and Sinn Fein higher-up and former Ira commander McGuinness into friends.
Indeed the pair became such good friends that some dubbed them “the Chuckle Brothers” and McGuinness made headlines when he paid a heartfelt tribute at Paisley’s funeral last year.
Stephens will play former British prime minister Tony Blair, while Highmore will portray a young driver to Paisley and McGuinness and Hurt is cast as a political fixer. Timothy Spall will play...
- 9/10/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Freddy Highmore, John Hurt, and Toby Stephens have signed on to join Im Global’s “The Journey,” the company announced Thursday. The film is a fictionalized account of the relationship between two implacable enemies, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, forced to take a short journey together in which they will take a leap of faith and change the course of modern Irish and British history. It is at this moment that the future of Irish and British history is altered, as two sworn enemies put their past actions behind them and begin to forge a friendship that would lead to them being known.
- 9/10/2015
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
The Journey
John Hurt, Toby Stephens, Freddy Highmore, Colm Meaney and Timothy Spall have joined Nick Hamm's political dramedy "The Journey" at Im Global. Colin Bateman penned the script and filming begins September 28th in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The story will focus on the improbable friendship between former sworn enemies Martin McGuinness (Meaney) and Ian Paisley (Spall) in a story that follows the two Northern Ireland political titans after the signing of the breakthrough St. Andrews Agreement in 2006. Stephens will play British Pm Tony Blair, Highmore a government employee, and Hurt an accomplished veteran political fixer. [Source: Variety]
Bushwick
Dave Bautista ("Guardians Of The Galaxy") is set to star opposite Jane Levy in Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott's action thriller "Bushwhack". The story follows 20-year-old Lucy (Levy) and war veteran Stupe (Bautista) during a domestic crisis as Texas tries to secede from the U.S., with NYC being used as a negotiation tool.
John Hurt, Toby Stephens, Freddy Highmore, Colm Meaney and Timothy Spall have joined Nick Hamm's political dramedy "The Journey" at Im Global. Colin Bateman penned the script and filming begins September 28th in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The story will focus on the improbable friendship between former sworn enemies Martin McGuinness (Meaney) and Ian Paisley (Spall) in a story that follows the two Northern Ireland political titans after the signing of the breakthrough St. Andrews Agreement in 2006. Stephens will play British Pm Tony Blair, Highmore a government employee, and Hurt an accomplished veteran political fixer. [Source: Variety]
Bushwick
Dave Bautista ("Guardians Of The Galaxy") is set to star opposite Jane Levy in Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott's action thriller "Bushwhack". The story follows 20-year-old Lucy (Levy) and war veteran Stupe (Bautista) during a domestic crisis as Texas tries to secede from the U.S., with NYC being used as a negotiation tool.
- 9/10/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Veteran Irish actor looks set to join the previously-announced Timothy Spall, who will star as former Northern Ireland first minister Ian Paisley in Nick Hamm’s film
Irish actor Colm Meaney may join the cast of high-profile Troubles drama The Journey, starring as Martin McGuinness opposite Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley in the story of the two Northern Ireland political titans’ unlikely friendship.
The BBC reports that Meaney, 62, is in advanced talks to sign up for the Oscar-bait project. Spall confirmed he would play firebrand former Democratic Unionist Party leader last month. The Irishman is best known for his role on television as chief Miles O’Brien from Star Trek: The Next Generation, , and on the big screen for portrayals in The Commitments, Con Air and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.
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Irish actor Colm Meaney may join the cast of high-profile Troubles drama The Journey, starring as Martin McGuinness opposite Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley in the story of the two Northern Ireland political titans’ unlikely friendship.
The BBC reports that Meaney, 62, is in advanced talks to sign up for the Oscar-bait project. Spall confirmed he would play firebrand former Democratic Unionist Party leader last month. The Irishman is best known for his role on television as chief Miles O’Brien from Star Trek: The Next Generation, , and on the big screen for portrayals in The Commitments, Con Air and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.
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- 8/28/2015
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
In early July, the news arrived that Timothy Spall was in talks to play late politician Sir Ian Paisley in The Journey. It appears he’s gone against Paisley’s traditional “no” stance and said yes to the part, and now Colm Meaney has joined the drama as Paisley’s stalwart enemy-turned-true friend Martin McGuinness. Nick Hamm’s film chronicles the story of how two seemingly implacable enemies – Paisley, the fiery, vocal leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein’s McGuinness – had to find common ground and make history. The pair became such good friends that they were nicknamed The Chuckle Brothers.Director Nick Hamm is writing the script with Divorcing Jack’s Colin Bateman and aims to kick off filming in Northern Ireland and Scotland in the middle of next month.Meaney, who has been spending most of his time recently in Western-flavoured Us TV drama Hell On Wheels,...
- 8/27/2015
- EmpireOnline
Exclusive– Colm Meaney has come on-board Nick Hamm’s The Journey as Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness opposite Timothy Spall as the late Sir Ian Paisley. The film is a fictional account of the extraordinary story of two implacable enemies in Northern Ireland — firebrand Democratic Unionist Party leader Paisley and republican stalwart McGuinness— who are forced to take a short journey together in which they will take the biggest leap of faith and change the course of…...
- 8/27/2015
- Deadline
Timothy Spall is being lined up to play the former Democratic Unionist Party (Dup) leader Sir Ian Paisley.
The actor could star as the late Northern Ireland first minister in The Journey, about Paisley's unlikely friendship with Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, Deadline reports.
Liam Neeson and Sir Kenneth Branagh were previously linked with the role.
Novelist Colin Bateman is writing the screenplay for the project, which is expected to begin production this September.
Nick Hamm is directing, and will also produce alongside Mark Huffam and Piers Tempest.
Paisley passed away in September last year at the age of 88.
Spall is known for starring in Mr Turner, The Damned United, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and the Harry Potter series.
The actor could star as the late Northern Ireland first minister in The Journey, about Paisley's unlikely friendship with Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, Deadline reports.
Liam Neeson and Sir Kenneth Branagh were previously linked with the role.
Novelist Colin Bateman is writing the screenplay for the project, which is expected to begin production this September.
Nick Hamm is directing, and will also produce alongside Mark Huffam and Piers Tempest.
Paisley passed away in September last year at the age of 88.
Spall is known for starring in Mr Turner, The Damned United, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and the Harry Potter series.
- 7/5/2015
- Digital Spy
Drama will document the Protestant leader’s unlikely road towards friendship with his longterm political enemy, Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness
Timothy Spall looks set to play the Reverend Ian Paisley in the Northern Ireland Troubles drama The Journey, which will document the firebrand politician’s unlikely friendship with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
Deadline reports Spall is in advanced discussions to portray the late Democratic Unionist party leader in a role with significant awards season potential. Belfast-born Nick Hamm, best known for 2001’s The Hole and 2011’s Killing Bono, is set to direct from a screenplay by Divorcing Jack’s Colin Bateman.
Continue reading...
Timothy Spall looks set to play the Reverend Ian Paisley in the Northern Ireland Troubles drama The Journey, which will document the firebrand politician’s unlikely friendship with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
Deadline reports Spall is in advanced discussions to portray the late Democratic Unionist party leader in a role with significant awards season potential. Belfast-born Nick Hamm, best known for 2001’s The Hole and 2011’s Killing Bono, is set to direct from a screenplay by Divorcing Jack’s Colin Bateman.
Continue reading...
- 7/2/2015
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Having won major acclaim (and an acting award at Cannes) for his performance in Mr. Turner, Timothy Spall has his eye on another job playing a real person. He’s in talks to play the late Sir Ian Paisley in The Journey.Nick Hamm’s film chronicles the story of how two seemingly implacable enemies – Paisley, the stalwart, vocal leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness – had to find common ground and make history. Hamm is writing the script with Colin Bateman and aims to kick off filming in Northern Ireland and Scotland this September, once he’s found someone to play McGuinness. It’ll represent another meaty role for Spall, playing a man who managed to forge a lasting friendship with someone he once bitterly opposed, to the point where McGuinness was visibly moved at Paisley’s funeral last year. The actor...
- 7/1/2015
- EmpireOnline
Exclusive: Timothy Spall (Mr Turner) is in advanced discussions to star as the late Sir Ian Paisley in Nick Hamm’s The Journey. The film is a fictional account of the extraordinary story of two implacable enemies in Northern Ireland — firebrand Democratic Unionist Party leader Paisley and Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness — who are forced to take a short journey together in which they will take the biggest leap of faith and change the course of modern history. It is…...
- 7/1/2015
- Deadline
Madrid – When HBO did an extras casting call for Game of Thrones in the Andalusian region of Southern Spain, more than 55,000 people turned up for a shot at 1,000 walk-on roles. News that the phenomenally popular fantasy series will shoot parts of its fifth season in Southern Spain had people in the economically depressed region (where unemployment tops 35 percent) hoping Game of Thrones knights and dragons would ride to their rescue. Spain looks longingly at the Game of Thrones effect in Northern Ireland, where Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said in April the HBO
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- 8/1/2014
- by Pamela Rolfe
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have taken part in a special episode of Antiques Roadshow.
The royal couple had items from their collections assessed by experts Paul Atterbury, John Axford and Hilary Kay at Hillsborough Castle, their home in Northern Ireland.
Among the pieces was a small, bronze sculpture of a horse and jockey, which is believed to be of the 1863 Derby winner Macaroni.
The episode is expected to air later this year.
The Duke was keen to find out when the episode would air, causing the Queen to add: "If it [airs] in August then even better, because we might have a chance to see it."
The royals then flew by helicopter from Hillsborough to Coleraine, where were guests of honour at an event in order to recognise the work of the British Legion.
They have had a packed itinerary during their three days in Northern Ireland, including...
The royal couple had items from their collections assessed by experts Paul Atterbury, John Axford and Hilary Kay at Hillsborough Castle, their home in Northern Ireland.
Among the pieces was a small, bronze sculpture of a horse and jockey, which is believed to be of the 1863 Derby winner Macaroni.
The episode is expected to air later this year.
The Duke was keen to find out when the episode would air, causing the Queen to add: "If it [airs] in August then even better, because we might have a chance to see it."
The royals then flew by helicopter from Hillsborough to Coleraine, where were guests of honour at an event in order to recognise the work of the British Legion.
They have had a packed itinerary during their three days in Northern Ireland, including...
- 6/26/2014
- Digital Spy
Washington -- The White House says Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny will visit the White House next Tuesday.
President Barack Obama and Kenny will meet in the Oval Office that morning before heading to an annual St. Patrick's Day lunch at the Capitol. That evening, the president and first lady Michelle Obama will hold a reception to mark their fifth St. Patrick's Day at the White House.
At the reception, Obama and Kenny will participate in an exchange of shamrocks, a tradition begun under President Harry Truman.
Obama is scheduled to meet separately next Tuesday with Peter Robinson, the leader of Northern Ireland's 6-year-old Catholic-Protestant government, and Robinson's deputy, Martin McGuinness, to discuss progress toward peace and reconciliation in their country.
St. Patrick's Day, March 17, falls on a Sunday this year.
President Barack Obama and Kenny will meet in the Oval Office that morning before heading to an annual St. Patrick's Day lunch at the Capitol. That evening, the president and first lady Michelle Obama will hold a reception to mark their fifth St. Patrick's Day at the White House.
At the reception, Obama and Kenny will participate in an exchange of shamrocks, a tradition begun under President Harry Truman.
Obama is scheduled to meet separately next Tuesday with Peter Robinson, the leader of Northern Ireland's 6-year-old Catholic-Protestant government, and Robinson's deputy, Martin McGuinness, to discuss progress toward peace and reconciliation in their country.
St. Patrick's Day, March 17, falls on a Sunday this year.
- 3/12/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Both sides visit London, Belfast and Dublin to learn methodology and psychology that led to negotiations breakthrough
While Turkish and Kurdish leaders wait for the music to start in their fragile "peace process", they have already jointly taken to the dance floor, warily exploring whether enemies can become partners.
Two places they have been doing this are Britain and Ireland, with politicians from both sides visiting London, Belfast and Dublin to learn about the methodology and psychology of negotiations that led to the breakthrough Good Friday accords under Tony Blair.
"Although there are historical differences between Northern Ireland and Turkey, it was very important. I learned a lot," said Ayla Akat, a Kurdish MP who took part. She recalled meetings Jonathan Powell, Blair's chief of staff, and learning of his "bicycle theory" of conducting negotiations. "You've got to keep pedalling or you fall over."
Cengiz Çandar, a veteran commentator with...
While Turkish and Kurdish leaders wait for the music to start in their fragile "peace process", they have already jointly taken to the dance floor, warily exploring whether enemies can become partners.
Two places they have been doing this are Britain and Ireland, with politicians from both sides visiting London, Belfast and Dublin to learn about the methodology and psychology of negotiations that led to the breakthrough Good Friday accords under Tony Blair.
"Although there are historical differences between Northern Ireland and Turkey, it was very important. I learned a lot," said Ayla Akat, a Kurdish MP who took part. She recalled meetings Jonathan Powell, Blair's chief of staff, and learning of his "bicycle theory" of conducting negotiations. "You've got to keep pedalling or you fall over."
Cengiz Çandar, a veteran commentator with...
- 3/1/2013
- by Ian Traynor
- The Guardian - Film News
Andrea Riseborough excels as a republican activist, as Man on Wire director James Marsh tackles the Troubles
Something in this gloomy conspiracy thriller set in 1990s Belfast reminded me of an exchange between Ivor Claire and Guy Crouchback, in Evelyn Waugh's Officers and Gentlemen. Ivor asks Guy what he would do if challenged to a duel. Guy replies: "Laugh", but Ivor responds thoughtfully: "One hundred and fifty years ago, we would have to fight if challenged. Now we'd laugh. There must have been a time when it was rather an awkward question." In the 1970s, an Ira man knew it was his duty to attack the British with every violent means, but in 2012, with Martin McGuinness shaking hands with the Queen, the idea is laughable. In 1993, the era of the Downing Street declaration and the Good Friday agreement, republican footsoldiers found themselves confronted with Ivor Claire's "awkward question".
This...
Something in this gloomy conspiracy thriller set in 1990s Belfast reminded me of an exchange between Ivor Claire and Guy Crouchback, in Evelyn Waugh's Officers and Gentlemen. Ivor asks Guy what he would do if challenged to a duel. Guy replies: "Laugh", but Ivor responds thoughtfully: "One hundred and fifty years ago, we would have to fight if challenged. Now we'd laugh. There must have been a time when it was rather an awkward question." In the 1970s, an Ira man knew it was his duty to attack the British with every violent means, but in 2012, with Martin McGuinness shaking hands with the Queen, the idea is laughable. In 1993, the era of the Downing Street declaration and the Good Friday agreement, republican footsoldiers found themselves confronted with Ivor Claire's "awkward question".
This...
- 8/23/2012
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
TV reporter wrote Shadow Dancer after covering the Troubles in the 1990s – a crucial period in Northern Ireland's history
When Tom Bradby arrived in Belfast as ITN's newly appointed Ireland correspondent in 1993, the Troubles were raging, Bishopsgate had just been bombed and the peace process was no more than a whispered rumour. The new film Shadow Dancer – adapted by Bradby from his late 1990s novel of the same name – shows how far we have come since then.
"It really hit home for me when I saw the Queen shaking hands with Martin McGuinness the other month," says Bradby, now ITN's political editor. "I was gobsmacked by that and very uplifted by it too. It shows that anything is possible in the world."
Shadow Dancer, to be released on Friday 24 August, opens in the early 1970s before switching to the 1990s when the British security forces had infiltrated every level of the Provisional Ira.
When Tom Bradby arrived in Belfast as ITN's newly appointed Ireland correspondent in 1993, the Troubles were raging, Bishopsgate had just been bombed and the peace process was no more than a whispered rumour. The new film Shadow Dancer – adapted by Bradby from his late 1990s novel of the same name – shows how far we have come since then.
"It really hit home for me when I saw the Queen shaking hands with Martin McGuinness the other month," says Bradby, now ITN's political editor. "I was gobsmacked by that and very uplifted by it too. It shows that anything is possible in the world."
Shadow Dancer, to be released on Friday 24 August, opens in the early 1970s before switching to the 1990s when the British security forces had infiltrated every level of the Provisional Ira.
- 8/20/2012
- by Xan Brooks
- The Guardian - Film News
Martin McGuinness has hailed the 'momentous and historical' handshake he shared with Queen Elizabeth on Wednesday (27.12.11) The onetime Ira commander, who is now the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, is hopeful his meeting with the monarch can boost relations between Britain and Northern Ireland, saying it had the potential to define 'a new relationship between Britain and Ireland and between the Irish people themselves'. In a speech in Westminster on Thursday (28.06.12), he said: '[The handshake] was in a very pointed, deliberate and symbolic way offering the hand of friendship to unionists through the person of Queen Elizabeth for which many unionists have a deep affinity. 'It is an offer I hope many will accept in the same...
- 6/29/2012
- Monsters and Critics
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