Wildcard Distribution are set to release Pat Collins’ Song of Granite on November 24th. The film enjoyed its Irish premiere last night when it opened the 29th Galway Film Fleadh in front of a packed audience.
The biopic charts the rise of traditional Irish folk singer Joe Heaney, and how the songs of his west of Ireland childhood helped shape his complex character. Co-written by Collins, Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde, and Sharon Whooley, the film had its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival. Enigmatic and complex, Joe Heaney was one of the greats of traditional Irish singing (sean nós). Shaped by the myths, fables, and songs of his upbringing in the west of Ireland, his emergence as a gifted artist came at a personal cost.
Macdara Ó Fátharta, Michael O’Chonfhlaola, and Colm Seoighe portray Heaney at various stages in his life. Collins penned the script with Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhride and Sharon Whooley. Cinematographer Richard Kendrick shot the film for black-and-white and it is edited by long-time Collins collaborator Tadhg O’Sullivan.
Song Of Granite was produced by Alan Maher and Jessie Fisk of Marcie Films with Martin Paul-Hus of Amerique Film with funding from the Irish Film Board, SODEC, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, Telefilm Canada, and TG4.
