Hollywood gives a seal of approval to Killough-based film

Hollywood gives a seal of approval to Killough-based film

29 February 2012

FEBRUARY 27 has secured its place in Killough history. That was the day a locally-made short film was awarded an Oscar in the Academy Awards ceremony, sparking a 24-hour party.

The Shore has been the pride of the area since Coney Island-based director Terry George made the film two summers ago with the help of family and members of the local community.

Local pride swelled on Sunday night when the movie world officially gave The Shore its golden seal of approval.

News that the Oscar had been secured filtered into the Anchor Bar at around 4am on Monday as local publican John Fitzsimmons was clearing up following a successful pre-Oscar fundraiser.

The Marie Curie fundraiser had been hosted by members of the George family in the bar, which was the setting for one of the film’s scenes, to celebrate Oscar night. Over £1,000 was raised for the charity on the night.

John said Terry George’s brother Michael knocked the doors of the bar at 4am to say he had received a text message to confirm the Oscar had been awarded.

Word quickly spread through the village with locals filtering into the pub shortly afterwards to hear the official news break. And so began the celebrations.

Among the revellers were many of Terry George’s family, including his brother and sister Michael and Maura, his cousin Marty George and his aunt and uncle Tony and Mary George.

They were joined by some of the extras from the film and supporters who are delighted their area has been given a prominent position on the world map.

Terry has spoken to the Down Recorder about his affinity with Killough and Coney Island, where he now lives and which was also the setting for the film.

Having made his own home on the island, where he seeks refuge from the strictures of the Hollywood movie scene, he said he had fulfilled a personal and professional dream of capturing the place and its people on film.

“I have been coming here all my life, it is where I spent my summers,” he said.

“I think it is as beautiful as anywhere in Ireland and it deserves the same promotion.

“My big hope is that as many people as possible see The Shore and decide to come and have a look at the place.

“It is about telling the story about its location and the people. It is about putting Coney Island on the map.”

Terry, who said he always had high hopes for The Shore, is delighted by its official success and telephoned family in The Anchor on Monday to join in the festivities.

“Our little film was inspired by the people of Northern Ireland, Protestant and Catholic, who after 30 years of war, sat down, negotiated a peace and proved to the world that the Irish are great talkers,” he said.

“This is about reconciliation in Northern Ireland, it is really close to my heart.”

The Shore will be screened at Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast from March 5-8. Contact the theatre to book tickets.