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October 29, 2009

A Feast of Film at Riverbank Arts Centre

Michael Fortune Exhibition Those with an interest in film, art and indeed world politics should take a look at some special events at Riverbank Arts Centre this week. Film lovers will delight at the events on offer in the coming days, with an award winning documentary, ‘Burma VJ’,  an exhibition launch with internationally renowned video artist, Michael Fortune, a short film from Kildare film-maker Alan Lawlor and a screening of the thrilling Irish surfing documentary, ‘Waveriders’,

On Friday 6th November, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare in association with Burma Action Ireland is proud to announce a special screening of ‘Burma VJ’, the award winning documentary style film by Danish director Anders Østergaard. This is a unique opportunity to see ‘Burma VJ’ with special guest speakers from Democratic Voice of Burma and Burma Action Ireland.  This incredible documentary follows the events of September 2007, as the Buddhist monks of Burma stage peaceful protests against the ruling military and living conditions imposed by them. The film is seen through the lens of 'Joshua' and other video journalists, who risk their freedom and their lives to ensure that footage of the brutal repression of the protests by the Burmese military makes it out of Burma for all the world to see. The screening will be followed by a discussion forum with special guest Khin Maung Win of the Democratic Voice of Burma. The audience will have opportunity to ask questions raised by the film and will gain a better understanding of both the events of September 2007 and media censorship in Burma. 

Tickets only €6. To book contact Riverbank Arts Centre Box Office on 045 448327 or book online at www.riverbank.ie

Monday the 9th of November offers movie buffs the chance to experience film in a number of different ways. At 6.30pm, acclaimed artist Michael Fortune presents a showcase of his video works in ‘An Anthology of Others’. Based in County Wexford, Fortune’s work is presented widely nationally and internationally in a variety of contexts, ranging from video installations in galleries through to single screen presentations in film and video art festivals. Since the beginning of 2007 his work has been presented in over ninety shows in a total of twenty- five countries spanning from Armenia to Venezuela and from Kilnaboy to Claremorris. A Q+A session will follow each screening. The event begins at 6.30pm sharp, admission is free. Following the talk, ‘An Anthology of Other’s will be presented as a continuous screening in Riverbank Arts Centre from the 10th to the 27th of November.

Opening hours: Mon - Fri 10am – 5.30pm. Sat 10am – 1pm.  For further information visit www.michaelfortune.ie. or www.riverbank.ie

No Ordinary Man Following the Michael Fortune Showcase on Monday evening, the Riverbank Cinema kicks in at 8pm with the highly acclaimed Irish surfing documentary, ‘Waveriders’, and a short film from Kildare film maker Alan Lawlor. A native of  Derrinturn, Carbury, Co. Kildare,  Alan Lawlor’s beautiful short film ‘An Ordinary Man’ will be shown before ‘Waveriders’, and tells an ordinary and everyday story of two brothers working on the bog all the while longing to escape to a new life. It looks at the yearning of a younger generation to seek happiness away from the boring day to day existence of rural life, at opposition with the pride and honesty of a simple hard days work. When an argument between the brothers leads to a death the tale takes a dark and unexpected twist. Alan Lawlor's direction shows an assured grasp for the beauty of his locations, the bog land and surrounding fields are shot with a beauty. The film is as much in love with the landscape as the characters who inhabit it and features a celtic infused, beautiful score by Fran Geoghegan. Having studied film and worked as a camera assistant on various dramas and documentaries, Alan has made two shorts in the last year and plans to start production on a third early next year.

Finally, the thrilling Irish surfing documentary, ‘Waveriders’, is the featured movie of the night. ‘Waveriders’ is the previously untold story of the unlikely Irish roots of the worldwide surfing phenomenon and today’s pioneers of Irish big wave surfing. The story unfolds through the inspirational and ultimately tragic history of Irish/Hawaiian legendary waterman, George Freeth, the son of an Irishman, who was responsible for the rebirth of this sport of Hawaiian kings in the early twentieth century. With its distinguished cast of world-renowned Irish, British and Irish/American surfers ‘Waveriders’ journeys full-circle from Hawaii to California and back to Irish shores following Freeth’s wave of influence. The journey reaches a spectacular climax when the surfers conquer the biggest swell ever to have been ridden in Ireland by catching monster waves of over fifty feet. Tickets for  ‘No Ordinary Man’/’Waveriders’ are €6, to book call 045 448327 or book online at www.riverbank.ie