This week I went to see a home grown movie called "Tradition", a comedy set in a district court in the heart of Kerry.
Tradition unveils the shinnanigans of a court house in the town of Killarney, some true and some not so true cases are presented before a judge in moral dilemma, will he take on the GAA and end insider betting or will he be influenced by personal gain or other motives. His rulings are dependent on his mood and his judgements are decided on personal persuasions, as such crimes of roguery are excusable while the unexplainable is admissible.
When you consider this movie was made for less than the price of an episode of the Late Late Show you'd have to wonder what RTE actually do with their budget, if this film does anything, it makes the point that the national broadcaster should be encouraging more community made TV, film that captures the heart and soul of Ireland.
In America; films that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant get treasured in the National Film Registry. This reflects the importance film plays in society, as film makers capture culture, how we view ourselves, and the world around us.
Tradition might not win any Oscars, it's a collage of bar jokes, tomfoolery, and one liners which can possibly be attributed to the late Brendan Grace, who plays a central role in this low budget Kerry based concoction of satire and emotion.
It also fails to break out of the mould of country comedy such as "Bachelors in Trouble" or "Killinascully" and it's colloquial humour may limit its screenings to film festivals and the in flight movie panel. However it does give life to the possibility of more movies being made in local Ireland, featuring Irish talent alongside the captain of the hurling team and the county's star stand up comedian.
"Tradition" shows us that making movies is achievable and big ideas can break through the 'short film' barrier, a category that most Irish cinema has been defined by. It's a movie that movie makers will appreciate because it lays a foundation stone for possibility, an achievement I'm sure screenwriter and director Damian O'Callaghan will receive plenty of praise for as patrons of Irish cinema grow in confidence to back more feature length projects set in rural Ireland.
Tradition unveils the shinnanigans of a court house in the town of Killarney, some true and some not so true cases are presented before a judge in moral dilemma, will he take on the GAA and end insider betting or will he be influenced by personal gain or other motives. His rulings are dependent on his mood and his judgements are decided on personal persuasions, as such crimes of roguery are excusable while the unexplainable is admissible.
When you consider this movie was made for less than the price of an episode of the Late Late Show you'd have to wonder what RTE actually do with their budget, if this film does anything, it makes the point that the national broadcaster should be encouraging more community made TV, film that captures the heart and soul of Ireland.
In America; films that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant get treasured in the National Film Registry. This reflects the importance film plays in society, as film makers capture culture, how we view ourselves, and the world around us.
Tradition might not win any Oscars, it's a collage of bar jokes, tomfoolery, and one liners which can possibly be attributed to the late Brendan Grace, who plays a central role in this low budget Kerry based concoction of satire and emotion.
It also fails to break out of the mould of country comedy such as "Bachelors in Trouble" or "Killinascully" and it's colloquial humour may limit its screenings to film festivals and the in flight movie panel. However it does give life to the possibility of more movies being made in local Ireland, featuring Irish talent alongside the captain of the hurling team and the county's star stand up comedian.
"Tradition" shows us that making movies is achievable and big ideas can break through the 'short film' barrier, a category that most Irish cinema has been defined by. It's a movie that movie makers will appreciate because it lays a foundation stone for possibility, an achievement I'm sure screenwriter and director Damian O'Callaghan will receive plenty of praise for as patrons of Irish cinema grow in confidence to back more feature length projects set in rural Ireland.
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