Casting About
Barry J Hershey
USA | 2004 | 86mins | 35mm | Colour | Subtitled

Sunday 9th | 4.30pm | Kino Cinema

A lyrical, feature documentary that explores the captivating experience of casting actors. From the point of view of a film-maker, we see and hear many of the 350 actresses who audition for three roles in a dramatic film. Casting About includes footage from audition sessions held in several cities Ð weaving together actor interviews, monologues, and scene work to create an impressionistic collage of the casting experience.

In late 2000, Barry J. Hershey set out to cast actresses for a dramatic film that he had co-written and intended to direct. The plan was to incorporate some of the casting footage into the fiction film, an idea arising from Hershey's first experience with casting at film school. After reviewing the more than seventy hours of casting tapes, a decision was made to shape this rich material into a film of its own.

The viewer sits in the filmmaker's seat, watching the actors at work and learning about their lives, vulnerabilities, fears and dreams. The film presents footage of 184 actresses - many of whom perform monologues from the work of renowned contemporary playwrights such as Eric Bogosian, David Hare, Susan Miller, Nina Shengold and Alfred Uhry.

Cathair Chorcaí
Pat Collins
Ireland | 2005 | 52mins | Beta | Colour | Subtitled

Sunday 16th | 2.00pm | Triskel Arts Centre

Over the centuries Cork city has grown out from the two forks of the river Lee. It slowly expanded and looked outwards and in many ways was shaped by what came in from the sea. The city was and is always turning, moving and adapting, shaped by many influences but perhaps developing a personality and character of its own.

Cathair Chorcaí is a documentary that explores the physical and spiritual characteristics of Cork city. It's a meditation on how the city has been shaped and how it stands before the world today gathering in a sense of the city rather than concentrating on any chronological history.

The story of the city is told through people who have an intimate knowledge of Cork. Through these characters we hear both personal stories of life as lived in the city and also the background that has shaped the city we see today. We explore the Lee and how it interacts with the city, the impact of the docks and centuries of trade and the impact of the English and Gaelic worlds on its development.

Celebration
Quirine Racké, Helena Muskens
The Netherlands |2005|55mins|Beta |Colour

Saturday 15th | 11.00am | Triskel Arts Centre

In November of 1995, with the lucky call of a number in a lottery, three hundred and fifty people became modern day pioneers. They were chosen to be the first residents of Celebration; the latest version of the American Dream, built in the swamp of central Florida by the master of make believe Walt Disney. A beautiful, pristine and crisp town with pre 1940's architecture that takes you back to a safer, more comforting place where neighbours greeted neighbours. Almost ten years later it is the home of eight thousand residents. Yet behind the beautiful facades and white picket fences is a real place with real people.

The film shows six couples in search of utopia. It was Disney that attracted them to Celebration. They all remember their first time to Disney World, a magical and care-free world. Walt Disney always said that dreams can come true.

Is Celebration a dream come true in a world gone wrong?