SLIGO FILM WINS AWARD

FILM SHOT IN SLIGO WINS TOP AWARD AT OKLAHOMA FILM FESTIVAL

AN American filmmaker was so impressed by the rich culture in Sligo that she ultimately decided to make a documentary that will be screened to audiences all over the world.

The film was a winner at its World Premiere in Oklahoma and that film festival is also a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards so we will have to wait and see if a Sligo film will be in the running for an Oscar.

The film, which features an array of local musicians throughout the county also focusses on the abundance of music we have on our doorstep and will undoubtedly attract tourists to the Northwest.

Titled Where’s the Craic?, the film has already won Best Foreign Music Documentary at its World Premiere at the Oklahoma Music & Film festival.

Its director, Lori Hakulinen, told the Sligo Champion she was blown away by the musical talent she came across by chance in Sligo that she was inspired to make a film on it. This is her first film.

Lori, who lives in France, explained: “I was brought here to Sligo when Arlo Guthrie was playing the Hawk’s Well and I am a fan of his music and his dad’s and I saw that he was playing here so I made the trip to Sligo.

“That was my first time in Sligo. The next night I was in Shoots and NoCrows were playing and I actually couldn’t believe my ears!

“I would definitely call myself a music addict and I was in Sligo for 5 days that time and that night I thought about making a documentary about it.

“For a small place the rich, diverse and variety of quality music is something else in Sligo,” Lori added.

She said she knew filmmakers over the years and got the taste for it and when she told some of her friends about her idea they came back and said it was really good and to go for it.

“They loved the concept of the film so I said why not.”

She complimented the friendly people of Sligo for their role in helping make the film.

“I was working around people’s schedules and they were all very accommodating.

“I went to France with Rackhouse Pilfer. I’ve interviewed Shane Mitchell of Dervish, Eddie Lee, Kieran Quinn, Sandy Kelly and her son Willie, Leon Mooney, Old Hannah, Moxie, Fiachra Cunningham and his mum and dad.

“There is a huge group altogether, sadly there’s not enough room for the density of virtuosity around Sligo,” Lori said.

The documentary is 83 minutes long and she is hoping to do a final cut before the end of the summer.

She looks into the local pubs too that are hosting the music sessions. With the American audience I made the decision to focus on pubs and instruments because the American people go crazy for that.

Included are McGarrigles, Fureys and Connollys to name a few. It’s taken about 3 and a half years to throw together, everybody threw their back into it and I cannot thank Sligo town enough, the people, pubs, musicians.

“People are saying how did I get so many to trust me. I brought it to the Bare Bones International Music & Film festival in Oklahoma for its World Premiere.

“The organisers loved it and Oklahoma too has it’s own bit of Irish history. They have named a highway after an Irishman who moved there in the 20s and they decided to name a highway after him. It was a boost to my confidence about the film hearing they loved it. It was a completely fresh audience and there was a row of people who laughed and cried. They were shocked at the richness of the stories and the variety of music.

“They were thinking it would be trad mostly but that’s why I wanted to make this to show that Ireland is not just about trad there is so much more.

“I wanted to put a catchy title on it Where’s the Craic? for curiosity,” Lori explained.

She praised her team behind the documentary for their excellent work.

“Peter Martin andPeter Clyne were the camera men and Niall Flynn was on lighting and sound. Fionn Rogers was on the drone. I did all the rest myself and Kris Manulak from the Hawk’s Well helped out too, he does all the Kieran Quinn theme nights. He did the 2nd edit it’s now going to the 4 th edit.

“The camera work is stunning and the sound too, I hope to bring it to Sligo as soon as possible, there is no date yet but people can check out the website www.wheresthecraicthemovie.com where there are some trailers.”

Lori said that she quickly became aware how busy life is as an indie filmmaker from scheduling phone calls, engaging with the film crews, doing the interviews themselves, overseeing the camera, set and lighting.

She said she’s proud at seeing what has been accomplished. “I am very proud of it, absolutely. I am very relieved that it has come to this part! There’s a really good story knitting together.”

She said crafting the story of the Irish culture for an American audience was a joy. “The more you dig out the more beauty I found.”

Oklahoma was her first film festival and Lori’s first win.

“The festival is actually a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards so who knows. If we get it finished in time the deadline is October,” she added. And what a dream that would be, seeing a Sligo film at the Oscars.

I AM VERY PROUD OF IT, ABSOLUTELY. I AM VERY RELIEVED THAT IT HAS COME TO THIS PART! THERE’S A REALLY GOOD STORY KNITTING TOGETHER.