Irish Abroad: Declan Recks’ The Truth Commissioner sells to New Zealand

ScreenDaily is reporting that Declan Recks’ new Irish film The Truth Commissioner has been acquired by Sky Television Network for broadcast in New Zealand following a deal at the American Film Market.

Set in a post-Troubles Northern Ireland, The Truth Commissioner follows the fictional story of Henry Stanfield, played by Roger Allam, a career diplomat who has just been appointed as Truth Commissioner to Northern Ireland. Eager to make good as a peacemaker, the Prime Minster urges a commission following the South African model of Truth and Reconciliation. But, though Stanfield starts bravely, he quickly uncovers some bloody and inconvenient truths about those now running the country; truths which none of those in power are prepared to have revealed.

The film stars Roger Allam (The Queen), Sean McGinley (The Wind That Shakes the Barley), Tom Goodman Hill (The Imitation Game), Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones), Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones), Bríd Brennan (Shadow Dancer) ,and Barry Ward (Jimmy’s Hall). The film is directed by Declan Recks (Eden) and produced by David Collins (Once), Eoin O’Callaghan (Five Minutes of Heaven) and Kevin Jackson (Falling For a Dancer) for Big Fish Films and Samson Films. The Truth Commissioner is produced in association with Northern Ireland Screen, BBC Northern Ireland, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board and The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

The sale of The Truth Commissioner is one of multiple made by UK sales company Carnaby International. Others include Scott Eastwood’s Mercury Plains, which sold to Germany (Lighthouse), Australia (Eagle Entertainment) and Middle East (International Film Distribution); Chris Foggin’s Kids In Love, which sold to France (Factoris Films); Toby Tobias’ thriller Blood Orange, which sold to the US (Invincible Picture). Blood Orange, also sold with The Truth Commissioner, North Vs South, Four, Winter and Casual Encounters to Sky NZ.

[quote title=”Sean O’Kelly – Carnaby, Joint-CEO “]For us sales have been quite strong even though the AFM market seemed a little flat in attendance with seemingly little good new content around. We had a busy and fruitful time with five new films having their market debuts here and the majority of buyers closing this week on deals for the major territories.[/quote]