Birdsong

N Irish premiere

(Screening followed by Q and A with director Kathleen Harris & Sean Ronayne)

Ornithologist Seán Ronayne from Cobh, Co. Cork is on a mission to record the sound of every bird species in Ireland – that’s nearly 200 birds.

An unlikely online sensation after his appearance on the Tommy Tiernan show went viral late last year, Sean’s quiet joy and passion shines through in this stunning film of his singular quest.

Often accompanied by his partner Alba, Seán travels to some of the country’s most beautiful and remote locations to capture its most elusive species and soundscapes. From the busy seabird colony of Skellig Michael; a native woodland free from road noise in the Burren; the corncrake stronghold of Tory Island; a solitary nest in the Donegal uplands. Along the way we get to know Seán, whose hypersensitivity to sound has proven both a struggle and a strength.

At once inspiring and cautionary, Seán’s journey illustrates the beauty and importance of sound, and what listening can tell us about the state of our natural world.

There will be a Q and A with Sean and director Kathleen Harris after the screening as they talk about the making of this incredible documentary film.

“…visually stunning (Birdsong) follows Seán’s quest around some of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. Throughout the film, his fascination with birdsong is both endearing and enlightening. Joy and awe are threaded with poignant knowledge that many of the birds encountered along the way are red- or amber-listed birds of conservation concern.”  Irish Examiner

CRASS: The Sound of Free Speech

Dir. Brandon Spivey | UK | 2023 | 90 mins

Celebratory, shocking and raw, this film is as close to the story of the anarcho-punk band as you’re going to get…

Crass formed in Essex in 1977, and disbanded all too soon in 1984. Their work promoted grass roots activism and a movement of resistance that awakened and appealed to many, inspiring a multitude of bands and artists along the way.

In “The Sound of Free Speech”, director and artist Brandon Sivey revisits the controversies and outrage that surrounded one of the band’s earliest musical and political statements: Reality Asylum. Made with the blessing of Crass members, the film dives into 1970s Britain; the birth of punk and the formation of Crass, with an in-depth look at their art, music, politics and ethos, plus its impact on those who were trying to make sense of a brutal hostile society they had no place in.

Spivey also tells a broader story, expanding on the narrative of anarchism and a broken system. Through open-hearted interviews he touches upon subjects such as assault carried out by the church, Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, the biggest war that threatens humanity; class war, and of course what it was like to be a punk band in the 70s and the 80s.

 

Young Frankenstein : Special Event Screening

We celebrate the 50th anniversary of the horrifyingly hilarious Young Frankenstein with a very special screening. And where else to watch Mel Brook’s gothic masterpiece than in the atmospheric surrounds of one of Belfast’s finest examples of Gothic architecture, St Patrick’s Church, Belfast!

Young Frankenstein brings together Brooks’ inimitable style with a hilarious all-star cast of comedy legends, including the late, great Gene Wilder (who also wrote the script) as Federick “Fronkensteen”, Marty Feldman as shifty humpback Igor, Teri Garr as the hay-rolling lab assistant Inga, Madeleine Kahn as Dr. Frankenstein’s high-strung fiancée Elizabeth, Peter Boyle as the kind-hearted monster, an uncredited Gene Hackman as the blind man who befriends him, and Cloris Leachman as Frau Blücher.

The movie is both a loving tribute and a raucous, irreverent parody of Universal’s classic horror films Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935).

Filming in glorious black and white, we can’t think of a better venue than the truly gothic St Patrick’s Church for this celebration of one of the funniest and cinematically gorgeous films of all time!

Now, “walk this way” if you dare…

 

‘Boldie’ Premiere screening

‘Boldie’ 
A new film by Nicholas Keogh
A short character introduction to Max the Jack Russell.
Nicholas will also be introducing two of his favourite films:

Watching YouTube 
By Paddy Maguire
Rare Witch is an artist, animator, film-maker and musician based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. His music combines a chaotic fusion of abstract comedy, local social commentary, and overhand banjo playing.

ACTION MAN: BATTLEFIELD CASUALTIES

Director: Price James
Writer: Darren Cullen
Based on Original Artwork by Darren Cullen
Artist and activist whose artwork satirises topics ranging from the insidious nature of advertising, from the culpability of the “Santa lie” to armed forces recruitment propaganda.

Billy Connolly : Big Banana Feet

Thought lost for years, Big Banana Feet follows Billy Connolly on his 1975 Irish tour.

The gorgeous restoration by the BFI was undertaken in collaboration with Murray Grigor, Douglas Weir, National Library of Scotland, University of California and R3Store Studios, using the only 16mm print known to exist.

The Big Yin – complete with banana boots – was hitting the big-time when this film followed him on his 1975 Irish tour, which culminated in his famous engagement at the ABC Cinema in Belfast during the Troubles.

This remarkable film can now be seen once more in its full glory. In addition to showcasing Connolly’s comic and musical talent, it also captures his natural charm off-stage.

SCREENED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AVENUE CINEMA.

 

Supported By

dormant
embrace
FHM
up

Contact

The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and Out To Lunch are annual festivals of music, comedy, theatre, art and literature which take place in January and May in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Join our mailing list to keep up to date with festival news, events and early ticket releases.

View Our Privacy Policy

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival / Out To Lunch Arts Festival
Unit 8
Northern Whig House
Bridge Street
Belfast
BT1 1LU