Filmmaker Shane honoured as movie features at Dublin festival
A movie from local man Shane Collins is having its world premiere at the upcoming Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival in Dublin.
Shane, who grew up in Dublin and is based in Rosses Point also featured many Sligo musicians in the film which is called Dub Daze.
He got inspiration from Intermission, Adam & Paul and The Comittments for the Dublin-set feature.
He explained: “The film was edited in Sligo over a 9 month period.
“It features Sligo bands Brame and Hamo, This Side Up, Indian and Sligo actors Nigel Brennan and Killian Filan are staring in the film too.”
He said he is passionate about bringing future film and television productions to Sligo, having previously made two documentaries and a short film here.
“My grandfather Tom Doherty and mum Catherine Collins are originally from Skreen.
“Sligo as an Irish filmmaker has inspired me greatly over the years and it is fantastic to see our small film being given such an amazing platform to showcase our creative talents.”
He said he is also working on a film on the band Indian in the next few months.
Not only is Shane’s film among the features at the upcoming International Film Festival on February 23rd in Cineworld, he is also nominated for a discovery award at the festival.
“I produced, wrote, directed and edited the film as a tribute to my home city of Dublin.
“The film has a new, young cast of over 44 plus actors coming from The Gaiety, Bow Street, The Lir and DIT.
“I believe many will go on to represent a new wave of Irish talent abroad in the future.
“There are also 23 Irish musicians who have agreed to allow us to use their music including Rhob Cunningham, Bantum, This Side Up, Laurie Shaw, Majestic Bears, Scary Eire, Makings, Noel O’Brien, and Brame & Hamo who had a big hit with “Roy Keane”.
“Street Artists Subset did the film’s poster.” Shane said a lot of his Sligo cousins are going to the screening in Dublin and he hopes there will be more from the county at the festival.
In terms of the film itself he said Dub Daze is a comedy-drama.
It is described as a coming-of-age collection of stories set in the north, south, and centre of Dublin city.
“We get to meet Dan and Baz, two friends who are looking for kicks on their last day of school. Cork medical students Jack and Seán arrive in the capital to find their way among Ireland’s affluent youth, while songwriter Fi struggles to break through on the cutthroat Dublin music scene.”
He explains how the whole film knitted together. “A passion project for all involved, the film is both a celebration of our love for Dublin city but also a showcase for new and upcoming Irish actors.
“Having grown up on both sides of the city, I set out to take a raw and honest look at youth in not just Dublin but around the country.
“The film explores the different perspectives of Irish youth living in Ireland with classic themes of music, friendship and love re-examined to reflect an updated perspective of modern Dublin.
“I found passion and inspiration when writing from some of Dublin’s best films including Adam & Paul, Intermission, Kisses, The Commitments, and The Last Of The High Kings.”
The film features a cast of 44 new acting talent from all over Ireland and it was self-financed on a shoestring budget.
“Filming took place all over Dublin for 10 months and a further 9 months was spent in post-production.
“I love the creative craft of storytelling and I have great passion and pride for my Irish culture.
“Dublin is such a cultural city filled with so many writers and musicians, the fact that I was lucky enough to make my first feature in my home town and have it premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) is a dream come true.
“It makes the 19 months of work and effort put in by all the actors, musicians, filmmakers and fellow Dubliners immensely gratifying as their faith in our small film has been justified.”
Shane learned his trade at both DIT and IADT where he got to know many of the 44 actors, producing 13 short films over 7 years.
“The rapid growth and continued success of our Irish film industry is a testament to how we can continue to prosper internationally when we invest time, energy and finance into the creative arts and our Irish education system.
“Dub Daze I hope in some small way can be an illustration of this.
For more information and how to buy tickets for the film’s world premiere go to www.diff.ie/festival/ film/dub-daze.