Irish Film on TV: A Nightingale Falling to premiere easter Sunday on UTV Ireland

Irish independent feature film A Nightingale Falling, the powerful period drama set during the War of Independence, will have its Irish television premiere this Easter Sunday at 10pm on UTV Ireland.

The film, which is set in 1920 with The Anglo-Irish war at its height, follows two sisters  (Tara Breathnach and Muireann Bird) who discover a wounded British officer, and must outwit British and IRA forces as well as confront their own personal rivalry in an attempt to save his life.

The film is based on the novel by Clare author PJ Curtis and was released in cinemas last September where it enjoyed a successful 6 week nationwide run at the Irish box office. The film has out performed all expectations for an independently released film here in Ireland and continues to expand into new markets and territories.

Speaking on behalf of the production co-director Garret Daly said [quote]It’s really great and we’re immensely proud that the film will be broadcast in such a prime time slot on this new channel.[/quote]

Mary Curtis, Head of Channel at UTV Ireland, said [quote]Garret Daly and his team at Mixed Bag Media have created an impressive production in A Nightingale Falling and we are delighted to be supporting the film. Ireland’s independent production industry is regarded as a leading player on the global stage and it is very important that we continue to support the sector. The film will make its Irish television premier on April 5th on UTV Ireland and, in addition to that, we will be showing a documentary on the making of ‘A Nightingale Falling’ on the same day.[/quote]

Following its premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh the film went on to win Best Film at the Sky Road Film Festival, Best Feature at the Underground Film Festival, and recently picked up an award for Best Drama Score of 2014 at the Reel Music Awards.

[quote]All any filmmaker wants to do is find an audience and we always believed there was one there for this type of period drama.We now thankfully have a commercially successful film, and the movie will continue to find audiences, as we’ve secured great deals in South Korea, Germany and Hong Kong. I’m delighted for the entire cast and crew and communities that helped us make the film.[/quote] Garret Daly

TV audiences will also get a chance to see The Making of A Nightingale Falling in a special documentary which looks at the community involvement in County Offaly. It focuses on the ways and means the filmmakers managed to produce this high quality drama and the efforts undertaken by everyone involved, including the recording of the score with the Ulster Orchestra for their very first film score. The film was co-directed/produced by Garret Daly and Martina McGlynn alongside producers Gerry Burke and PJ Curtis. A Nightingale Falling is a Mixed Bag Media production in association with Northern Ireland Screen.

A Nightingale Falling will have its Irish TV premiere on UTV Ireland, Easter Sunday, 5th April at 10pm. The Making of A Nightingale Falling, will be broadcast on the same day 4.30pm

For more on the film read our review, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or visit the official website.