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Director
Pearse Elliott
Credits
Producers: Paddy Breathnach, Paddy McDonald, Robert Walpole. Writer: Pearse Elliott
Principal Cast
Ken Stott, Tyrone McKenna, Gillian Anderson, Robert Carlyle
Category
FeatureFamily & Teen
A young boy’s friendship with a greyhound provides the starting point for this heartfelt tale about people coming out of the shadow of Northern Ireland’s past. In an act of compassion, the young Donal (Tyrone McKenna) saves a doomed greyhound from the often-cruel trainer Joe (Ken Stott). Naming the animal ‘The Mighty Celt’, Donal proves a good companion for the animal, turning it into a champion racer, much to Joe’s disgust. This anger proves to be a flashpoint for old grievances to emerge, as Donal’s mother Kate (Gillian Anderson) begins a relationship with ex-IRA fighter ‘O’ (Robert Carlyle), a man despised by Joe. A potentially grim story, these painful events are relieved by the film’s uplifting refusal to abandon the hope of Donal’s youthful decency bringing events to an affirming conclusion.
Age: 15
82 minutes, Ireland, 2005, Colour
BÁITE 10.55
EAFFI: GIRL 18.10
EAFFI: THE RIVER THAT HOLDS OUR HANDS + Q&A 15.45
EAFFI: THE WILD, WILD ROSE 13.00
EAFFI: TWO SEASONS, TWO STRANGERS 20.45
IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU 13.45
JEAN-LUC GODARD: OH, WOE IS ME (HÉLAS POUR MOI) 16.00
LA GRAZIA 18.00
MIDWINTER BREAK 11.00, 16.10 (OC), 18.15
SIRĀT 11.20
SPILT MILK (+ Q&A ON FRI 20TH) 13.55, 20.50
THE SECRET AGENT 20.15
The IFI is supported by The Arts Council