Ciné Gael, the longest-running Irish film festival outside of Ireland, launches its twenty-sixth season tonight with The Journey (Nick Hamm, 2016), a gripping fictional tale of what happens when life- long political enemies Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness must ride together for a long trip in a car during the 2006 Northern Ireland peace process.
When: Friday, January 12th, 2018, 7:15pm Where: Concordia’s J.A. DeSève Cinema
This year’s festival has nine dates with the final film presentation on May 3. Other confirmed movies include, The Peacemaker (James Demo, 2016) on January 26 and Sanctuary (Christian O’Reilly, 2016) on February 9.
With the help of sponsors that include the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa, Hurley’s and McKibbins Irish pubs and Oceanis Brands among others, the festival has provided sensational film entertainment that would not see the light of day in a regular North American cinema. Plus, there is an added bonus for the stalwart nucleus of fans who return each year: meeting the actors and directors who made celluloid magic. Over the years, the likes of actors Stephen Rea and Gabriel Byrne have attended in person while several of the films’ directors have agreed to Q&A sessions via Skype video at the far-too-early hours of the Irish morning.
Membership for the 2018 season costs $80, which includes entrance to all films plus the opening and closing receptions. Individual films cost $12 each (not including the opening and closing nights). There is an entrance fee of $20 for the opening film and reception and $25 for the closing film and reception. Tickets can be bought or reserved in advance (514-481-3503) and membership information is available on their website at http://www.cinegaelmontreal.com/
-01.png)