Mell Wade Films Ltd
SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON WHAT MEANS MOTLEY? AS MOVIE OPENS THE CHICAGO IRISH
FILM FESTIVAL MARKING ITS PREMIERE U.S. SCREENING
True story based on one of Ireland's most daring immigration scams to
screen hot off the heels of the Dublin International Film Festival
Tuesday 21st February 2006:
With the immigration issue such a hot topic worldwide, What Means
Motley? has garnered substantial interest in the international press
since its inception. Creating a phenomenal buzz on the festival circuit
and across the Irish community, the film, which marks its premiere
public screening during the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival
on 24th February, has now been selected to open the Chicago Irish Film
Festival on 3rd March.
This offbeat comedy caper movie has broad audience appeal, and looks at
how in 1999, forty-one desperate Romanian's tricked the country's Irish
consul into believing they were a talented gypsy folk group and obtained
tourist visas to perform at a little known Music Festival in Ireland,
but upon arrival at Dublin airport they all vanished, and consequently
made headline news.
This was one of Ireland's biggest diplomatic blunders, but far from
resigning, the original consul (Barry Mulligan) is now starring in the
film, playing a con man on the run from a psychopathic gangster.
Arriving in Romania and renewing an old friendship with an ex-illegal
immigrant, he devises a 'master plan' to help individuals wanting to
escape the country. However in order to pull it off, he has to outwit a
crazy Frenchman (who monopolises the existing and more sinister
immigration operation), a corrupt policeman, murderous gypsy gangster,
ply the Irish consul with booze, and put together the most untalented,
odd-looking bunch of characters as a convincing group of professional
folk performers.
''What Means Motley' has the brilliant energy, intriguing story and cast
of characters worthy of an international romp," said Judith Blackburn,
Director of the Chicago Irish Film Festival. "The fact that it all
actually happened makes this humorous and gripping film the perfect
choice to kick off the Chicago Irish Film Festival."
WHAT MEANS MOTLEY?
WILL OPEN THE CHICAGO IRISH FILM FESTIVAL ON FRIDAY 3RD MARCH, BEVERLY
ARTS CENTER, 20.30HRS
A Mell Wade Films production shot on location in Ireland and Romania,
What Means Motley is executive produced by Rod Weinberg and Andrew
Stear. The film is produced by John Ketchum, John Riley, (who also
direct), Barry Mulligan and Dave Duce. With offices in London and
Bucharest, Weinberg and Stear also co-own Swipe Film Productions in
Bucharest, offering a full range of film and TV production facilities in
Romania.
Founded in 2000 the Chicago Irish Film Festival has consistently brought
a truly representative selection of Irish films that embrace everything
from classics to the contemporary. Each year since its inception the
festival has screened features, documentaries, shorts and animation many
of which have won awards and have had selected screenings at some of the
largest festivals in the world including Cannes, Sundance, and Toronto.
The festival has also been delighted to welcome as its guest the actors,
directors, and producers that are the heart of today's Irish cinema. The
CIFF is pleased to be a showcase for Irish film production that embraces
innovation, independence, and creativity that is rooted in Ireland's
rich cultural heritage.
For further information please contact:
Celine Xerri-Brook, Publicity, Mell Wade Films
Tel: + 44 (0) 1273 731 337 Mble + 44 (0) 7957 334 228
Gibraltar.brook(a)virgin.net
Or
Grace Kuikman, Press , Chicago Irish Film Festival
Tel: + 1 773 445 3838 or + 1 773 213 7531
gracekuikman(a)sbcglobal.net
Mell Wade Films Ltd
WHAT MEANS MOTLEY? SEES WORLD PREMIERE AT DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM
FESTIVAL AND
OPENS CHICAGO IRISH FILM FESTIVAL
True story based on one of Ireland's most daring immigration scams
continues to garner substantial interest
15th February 2006 - Since What Means Motley? (previous working title
Sliding Dice) finished production, the film has generated substantial
interest in the international press. The producers are now thrilled to
announce that the film will premiere during the Jameson Dublin
International Film Festival on 24th February and has been selected to
open the Chicago Irish Film Festival on 3rd March.
With the immigration issue a very hot topic at the moment, this offbeat
comedy caper movie has broad audience appeal, and is based on a true
story. It looks at how in 1999, forty-one desperate Romanian's tricked
the country's Irish consul into believing they were a talented gypsy
folk group and obtained tourist visas to perform at a little known Music
Festival in Southern Ireland, but upon arrival at Dublin airport they
all vanished, and consequently made headline news.
This was one of Ireland's biggest diplomatic blunders, but far from
resigning, the consul (Barry Mulligan) is now starring in the film,
playing a con man on the run from a psychopathic gangster. Arriving in
Romania and renewing an old friendship with an ex-illegal immigrant who
had been kicked out of Ireland a year earlier, he devises a 'master
plan' to help individuals wanting to escape the country. However in
order to pull it off, he has to outwit a crazy Frenchman (who
monopolizes the existing and more sinister immigration operation), a
corrupt policeman, murderous gypsy gangster, ply the Irish consul with
booze, and put together the most untalented, odd-looking bunch of
characters as a convincing group of professional folk performers.
WHAT MEANS MOTLEY? WILL SCREEN AT THE IFI 1 ON
FRIDAY 24TH FEBRUARY AT 18.20HRS
AND
WILL OPEN THE CHICAGO IRISH FILM FESTIVAL A WEEK LATER ON FRIDAY 3RD
MARCH, BEVERLEY ARTS CENTRE, 20.30HRS
A Mell Wade Films production shot on location in Ireland and Romania,
What Means Motley is executive produced by Rod Weinberg and Andrew
Stear. The film is produced by John Ketchum, John Riley, (who also
direct), Barry Mulligan and Dave Duce.
With offices in London and Bucharest, Weinberg and Stear also co-own
Swipe Film Productions in Bucharest, offering a full range of film and
TV production facilities in Romania.
The 4th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival is once again penned
to be a star-studded affair, attracting the likes of Brenda Gleeson,
Patrick Bergen, John Hurt, Julie Walters and many more. The festival is
grant aided by The Irish Times, FM104, Carlton Screen Advertising and
Entertainment. As well as these, Chartbusters will support a season of
World Cinema. The Festival is also supported by CineWorld Cinemas,
Brook's Hotel, Dublin City Council, Failte Ireland, The Goethe Institut
and the French Embassy.
Founded in 2000 the Chicago Irish Film Festival has consistently brought
a truly representative selection of Irish films that embrace everything
from classics to the contemporary. Each year since its inception the
festival has screened features, documentaries, shorts and animation many
of which have won awards and have had selected screenings at some of the
largest festivals in the world including Cannes, Sundance, and Toronto.
The festival has also been delighted to welcome as its guest the actors,
directors, and producers that are the heart of today's Irish cinema. The
CIFF is pleased to be a showcase for Irish film production that embraces
innovation, independence, and creativity that is rooted in Ireland's
rich cultural heritage.
For further information please contact:
Rod Weinberg, Executive Producer
unclerod(a)aol.com
Tel:
Office: +44 207 729 7384 (London)
Mobile: +44 780 360 30 28 (UK)
Office: +40 21 202 3024 (Bucharest)
Mobile: +40 745 4043 30 (Romania)