IN AN UNUSUAL DEPARTURE, THE IRISH FILM ARCHIVE WILL BE SCREENING AN IRISH PREMIERE OF PADDY ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH.
Paddy was banned by the Irish censor in 1970 due to its sexual frankness, and never enjoyed a legitimate cinema screening in Ireland. Adapted for the screen from his notorious novel Goodbye To The Hill, the outlawing of Paddy was not an isolated incident for author (and screenwriter) Lee Dunne, who has the dubious accolade of having had 7 books and 2 films banned. Last month, the Irish Film Censor’s office revoked the ban, and instead issued the film with a 12A cert – allowing Irish cinema audiences to see the film for the first time. It stars Abbey actor Des Cave as an ‘Irish Alfie’ who lives with his mother, sister and brothers, but spends most of his time seducing a succession of women around Dublin—including a well-heeled widow (Maureen Toal), a blonde English masochist, and nice girl Maureen (Dearbhla Molloy)—and spending time in Mulligan’s Pub on Poolbeg Street with his reprobate friend (played by Milo O’Shea). With increasing frequency he escapes his dreary, dilapidated house in the inner city, as his harried mother begs him to mend his ways—and cheerfully abandons his pregnant girlfriend to a loveless marriage with a duped suitor. It sent out a message that was deemed unsuitable for late 1960s Ireland. The Irish Film Archive acquired a copy from America last year for its collection. Lee Dunne will all be present at the event.