Local Oscar-winner’s latest film take on new beat
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Jane Dunlap Norris / Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: March 13, 2008
Take heart, because Paul and Ellen Casey Wagner have an invitation for you. They'll be unveiling "Absolutely Irish,'' their latest film, at the Paramount Theater starting 7 p.m. Monday.
Students from the Blue Ridge Irish Music School will perform, adding live traditional Irish music and dance to help make the screening a festive occasion. Wagner said it was important "to acknowledge the fine work being done here'' to keep the traditional Irish performing arts thriving.
The Wagners, the creative team behind the landmark Irish immigration film "Out of Ireland,'' have focused on the verve of traditional Irish music in America this time around. "Absolutely Irish'' captures a concert that features a who's who of traditional Irish music stars.
Mick Moloney, a banjo player who also is the leading producer in Irish music, was musical director for an evening that brought fiddlers Eileen Ivers, Athena Tergis and Liz Carroll together on stage with flutists Joanie Madden and Seamus Egan.
Joining them in the spotlight were guitarist John Doyle and vocalists Karan Casey, Susan McKeown and Robbie O'Connell. Master uilleann piper Jerry O'Sullivan was on hand, along with accordionist Billy McComiskey, pianist Brendan Dolan and Tim Collins on concertina. The dancers included Niall O'Leary and Darrah Carr.
"There's actually three generations [of performers] in the film,'' Wagner said.
The old guard is ably represented by dancer Jo McNamara, who is 85, and flute master Mike Rafferty, who remembers playing on board a ship full of immigrants.
Younger performers bring "almost a rock 'n' roll feel,'' Wagner said. "They have such an energy and drive when they're playing,'' he said.
"It was such a blast putting it together,'' the Academy Award-winning filmmaker said. "They're hilarious people, full of fun. It's very earthy - sort of hardcore traditional musicians.''
The performers brought so much energy to the project that the idea of a stuffy formal screening didn't seem right. Wagner said of the plan, "Let's just rent the Paramount and invite everybody for free. It'll be a big St. Patrick's Day party.''
"Absolutely Irish,'' produced by the Wagners' American Focus Inc., was filmed in April 2007 in the Irish Arts Center in New York City's famed Hell's Kitchen section. Wagner directed, and JoJo Pennebaker and Nick Doob were directors of photography.
Wagner then polished up the project in Charlottesville with editor Neil Means and in Richmond with Thoughtstream Media.
Wagner called the location just the kind of "funky, small theater'' he'd envisioned.
"It's almost like they're playing in a little pub or something,'' he said.
"Absolutely Irish'' also can be seen on public television stations during the weekend as well, so fans can get a sneak peek.
Public television station WHTJ, which is one of the sponsors of Monday's local screening, will air at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. (The other sponsors are BRIMS, Thoughtstream Media, South Street Brewery and the Community Performance Access Fund of the Paramount Theater.)
Wagner said the finished product got a thumbs-up from some important critics.
"We showed it to the musicians last week, and they really loved it,'' he said. "Now we just hope our friends like it.''
After the screening and the BRIMS students' performances, you can keep your green gear on a little longer. The holiday won't be over yet, so the revels will continue at the St. Patrick's Day celebration at South Street Brewery.
Admission to Monday's screening is free, but tickets are required so the organizers can know how many guests to expect.
Tickets can be picked up at New Dominion Bookshop on the Downtown Mall and Greenberry's in Barracks Road Shopping Center.
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