Irish Abroad: One Million Dubliners and Song of the Sea to play in the UAE

The second European Film Screenings are set to hit Abu Dhabi and Dubai next week, with films from across the continent. The event, which is free to attend, will showcase 18 films from 18 European countries. Ireland is officially represented in the selection by Aoife Kelleher’s award-winning documentary One Million Dubliners, but it is not the only Irish film at the event as Cartoon Saloon’s Oscar nominated animation Song of the Sea will open events, representing co-producers Luxembourg.

one-million-dubliners_imageGlasnevin Cemetery is Ireland’s national necropolis, home to over one million people who by their final resting place, are honorary Dubliners. The cemetery has a remarkable history that makes it one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions, along with being a place that evokes profound emotions for its regular visitors. One Million Dubliners reveals the often unspoken stories of ritual, love, loss, redemption, emotion and history.

One Million Dubliners is the feature directorial debut of Kelleher and is produced by Rachel Lysaght for Underground Films. The film was made in association with RTÉ, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and Shoot for the Moon with the participation of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/The Irish Film Board.

Image from the movie Song of The Sea. Song of the Sea tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse - the last Seal-child - who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land. Song of the Sea features the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny. Music is by composer Bruno Coulais and Irish band K?la, both of whom previously collaborated on The Secret of Kells.

The IFTA award-winning, and Oscar nominated Song of the Sea follows Ben and his little sister Saoirse, the last selkie, who can transform from seals to people, and her journey to the sea, to find her voice and sing the “Song of the Sea” to save all of fairy kind from being lost forever.

An all-star voice cast features in the film, including Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Pat Shortt, and Jon Kenny. The score comes from The Secret of Kells collaborators Bruno Coulais and the Irish band Kila.

Other films that will screen over the 10 days include Bogowie from Poland, Dark Horse from the UK, The Grump from Finland, and The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared from Sweden.