Inistioge director films Hollywood sci-fi thriller
AN Inistioge native is making his feature film directorial debut with a sci-fi thriller set in the near future, starring Guy Pearce.
Andrew Baird, who attended Good Counsel College and is a graduate of the National Film School of Ireland, is directing ‘Zone 414’. The feature is shooting in Belfast starring the ‘Memento’ Hollywood actor.
Born and raised in Inistioge, Baird grew up in the house beside the pub on the hill in the South Kilkenny village. He has a lengthy and impressive CV, having worked on projects from Guinness ads to music videos, with artists including Sia, U2, Korn, the Weeknd, Lil Wayne and Ke$ha.
His first full feature stars Australian Golden Globe nominee Pearce, Vikings star Travis Kimmel and Italian model Matilda Lutz.
Zone 414 is set in the near-future among a colony of a state-of-the-art, humanoid robots. Deadline is reporting that, in the film Pearce plays an investigator hired to track down a missing girl on a colony of robots.
Local councillor Michael Doyle, who went to school with Baird, has heaped praise on his fellow Inistioge man for his success.
‘It’s a great achievement for Andrew. He always had a dream of being involved in film. He took the gamble in going to California and it has paid off. Andrew was raised overlooking the square in Inistioge, I grew up with him and both of us went to Good Counsel College in New Ross. Maybe it was the many films that have been in Inistioge that ignited Andrew’s passion for film, but talent is talent and Andrew is definitely making a name for himself and long may it continue.’