Filmmakers defend title of new Dublin movie

THE head of PR for a brand new

?¬5 million movie to be filmed in Dublin later this year has said the film’s producers will not be changing its name after it came in for criticism.

Entitled

‘Ringsend’, the project, featuring Martin Kemp, Don Baker and Rosanna Davidson among others, is described as a

“fast moving, Irish gangster/cage fighting film

? that is set predominantly in the capital.

However, the name of the new flick has attracted some controversy with the former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Dermot Lacey (Lab), calling on the producers to drop the

‘Ringsend’ title.

“The news that over

?¬5 million is to be invested in a new film set in Dublin is to be welcomed,

? Cllr Lacey said.

“However, the choice of the title

‘Ringsend’ is not.

“Such a film, as long as it retains its working title, will inevitably cast a reflection on the real-life community of the real Ringsend.

“The people of Ringsend deserve better than their area – a watchword for real traditional Dublin community life – to be tarnished and associated in the international media with drug dealing, gangsterism, cage fighting and so on.

?

While acknowledging that he did not directly represent the area, Cllr Lacey stated that he had worked with and admired the resilience and determination of the people of the area to build their community.

“Ringsend is one of the most dynamic and inclusive communities in Dublin with strong residents’ groups, youth groups, scouts’ groups and a fantastic sporting and water-based activities tradition,

? he said.

“In the Spellman Centre it also has one of the finest anti-drugs initiatives and programmes for recovering addicts in the country.

“I would appeal to the producers to find an alternative name and I have written to them in this regard.

?

He added:

“I wish them well in their efforts to make a creative and enjoyable film highlighting what is a sore in our modern world, but not at the expense of the people of the great community of Ringsend.

?

In response to Cllr Lacey’s request that the producers change the name, Fintan Cullen Gallagher, head of PR for the project, said writer/director Brett Halliday is about to produce a major Irish feature film for the international market.

“He has spent the past two years working on the project with some top Irish industry professionals and is about to see his vision realised later this year,

? Mr Gallagher said.

“Mr Lacey complains about the use of the name Ringsend, claiming it will destroy the name of the area given that the subject matter will be about cage fighters and gangsters.

“I find this amusing for several reasons. The TV drama series

‘Love Hate’, which contains violence and has been shot at various locations around Dublin, is yet one of the most successful projects to come out of this country in years.

“Also, I’d like to point out that the end sequence is the only part that will be shot in the area.

“All of this is combined with the fact that members of the Ringsend community have even approached my team looking to take part as extras and we will certainly be availing of their services.

“The country as we all know is going through the worst recession we have ever had and Brett Halliday and his team would like to bring some much needed work into the country which would include Ringsend.

?

He added:

“Our shoot in the Ringsend area is intended to show Dublin as the beautiful city it is, full of the traditional friendly people this country is famous for.

“All the staff for this production will be hired locally and we have a huge pool of talent to choose from.

“Months of preparation has gone into this project and I can assure Mr Lacey we have taken his concerns on board but we will not be changing the name,

? Mr Gallagher added.

“We would like to thank the people of Dublin for their interest and support so far for this film. This action packed movie will thrill and excite audiences and will leave them guessing right to the very end.

?