Screening of ‘The Battlefield’ in Mayo

Friday, 23rd August marked the first screening of the film ‘The Battlefield’ in County Mayo. The event was organised by Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo in the Seanscoil, Ceathrú Thaidhg as part of National Heritage Week, an annual event that is co-ordinated by The Heritage Council with support from the Department of Culture, Heritage & The Gaeltacht and Fáilte Ireland.
The film is based on an aspect of the work of artist Mick O’Dea, one of Ireland’s most renowned living painters who has won numerous prestigous awards. Born in Ennis, County Clare, and now residing part-time in Port a’ Chlóidh, Mick is Former President of the Royal Hibernian Academy and also a member of Aosdána. His diverse range of work includes a ten-year study of the War of Independence, culled from found and researched images. To coincide with the centenary of the Easter Rising he prepared a monumental exhibition ‘The Foggy Dew’ in the Royal Hibernian Academy. Over the course of a year the film crew attempts to document his journey leading to ground-breaking and memorable work. Director Emile Dinneen’s study is both whimsical and reflective, eschewing the traditional, reverential artist profile for a lively exploration of O’Dea’s creative process – his doubts and uncertainty alongside his artistic vision – which lead to ground-breaking and memorable work.
Irish film-maker and photographer Emile grew up in Uganda in East Africa and has extensive experience of that continent.
He is responsible for a unique body of award-winning documentary films for cinema and television exploring art, crime, tribal custom, war, and spiritual practice. The screening was followed by a lively Question and Answer session with the artist and the director. Ba mhaith le Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo buíochas a ghlacadh le hOifig Oidhreachta Chomhairle Chondae Mhaigh Eo a thacaigh leis an ócáid. Bhain chuile dhuine taitneamh as an oíche.