Element Pictures Distribution will release Alex Fegan’s new documentary Older Than Ireland on DVD and VoD on Friday November 20th.
To date Older Than Ireland has currently grossed over €155k at the Irish box-office and continues to play strong into week 8 of release. Positive word of mouth and strong reviews have seen the film play in over 35 cinemas and venues since its release.
Element Pictures Distribution has form in the genre, having released the top 3 grossing Irish documentaries in Ireland, which includes Ken Wardrop’s moving His & Hers at number 1, with a total box-office of €286,000; Older Than Ireland at number 2; and Joel Conroy’s powerful surfing documentary Waveriders at 3, with €110,000. These figures are comparable with many Irish feature films, and highlight that documentaries can compete with feature films for significant box-office.
Older Than Ireland, which won Best Irish Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh, is a landmark documentary that covers a hundred years of life in Ireland as seen through the eyes of thirty centenarians. These centenarians, as the title suggests are actually older than the state in which they now live.
Director Alex Fegan, who gave us the heart-warming documentary The Irish Pub, was joined by cameraman Colm Nicell in recording the stories of men and women countrywide, ranging in age from 100 to 109. This remarkable group of centenarians, all born before 1916, are the last generation to have borne witness to Ireland’s bloody transition from a newly formed fledging republic through to its development into a mature European state. These centenarians are our living history and it is through their wit, wisdom and philosophy that the film explores the more universal themes of life.
From the oldest Irish person ever on record, 113-year-old Kathleen Snavely to Ireland’s oldest man, 108-year-old Luke Dolan audiences will meet a colourful cast of characters from all walks of life from the four corners of Ireland. Older Than Ireland is a Snackbox Films production, with funding from Bord Scannán na hÉireann / Irish Film Board.
[quote title=”Audrey Shields – Element Pictures Distribution, Head of Distribution”]We are delighted with the tremendous success of Older Than Ireland and to work once again with Alex following The Irish Pub. His ability to capture unique Irish stories full of warmth and wisdom is testament to his skill of getting to the heart of what makes us Irish. Building on our experience of reaching Irish audiences throughout the country – from multiplex cinemas to local venues, the film enjoyed 8 weeks of sell out Dublin screenings and succeeded in reaching audiences right across Ireland from Waterford to Tralee, Galway to Bundoran. Both young and old have laughed and cried as they shared in the memories of these amazing centenarians.[/quote]
[quote title=”Karen O’Malley – Element Pictures Distribution, Head of Home Entertainment”]I’m very happy to announce that Older Than Ireland will be available to own on DVD & On Demand on Friday, 20th November. Soon audiences will be able to share this beautifully unique film on DVD with their loved ones for Christmas.[/quote]
From November 20th Older Than Ireland will be available on DVD in a wide network of retailers nationwide, including: HMV, Xtra-vision, Tesco, Supervalu, Golden Discs, Tower Records, Eason and Heatons. It will also be available to order online from ElementPictures.ie and Amazon. The film will also be available to view on demand via iTunes and Volta.
