MAY 2008

Hollywood stars are Inishowen bound
Taken from Inishowen Independent Tuesday 13th May 2008

Hollywood Stars Aidan Quinn and Connie Nielsen are expected in Inishowen this week as filming begins for the movie "A Shine of Rainbows."

Shooting for the film began yesterday and filming in Inishowen and Letterkenny is expected to continue for the next few weeks. The movie has been secured for Donegal by the county council's Film Commission and its commencement this week sees a year-long negotiation and support process come to fruition.

Directed by Emmy award winning Indian director Vic Sarin (Partition, Cold Comfort) the film will star Irish/American actor Aidan Quinn star of Michael Collins and Danish beauty Connie Nielsen of Gladiator fame who will arrive in Inishowen to begin work on the film.

Following a round of auditions in Carndonagh and Letterkenny last month, fifty local children have also been cast as extras while a number of local people have secured speaking parts in the film including Sharon Simpkins from Greencastle and Laura Doherty from Letterkenny. The film is produced by Sepia Films, Canada and Octagon Film, Ireland, and also stars John Bell, Jack Gleeson and Tara Scully.

The movie is based on the novel by Lillian Beckwith, 'A Shine of Rainbows' and tells the story of how a lonely orphan's life is transformed by an extraordinary woman who teaches him to conquer grief and discover the magic in nature and himself. The Canadian/Irish co-production was adapted for the screen by Vic Sarin, Catherine Spear and Dennis Foon and produced by Tina Pehme (Sepia Films), Kim Roberts and James Flynn (Octagon).

Production designs by Tom McCullagh (Closing the Ring, Mickybo and Me) with costume design by Susan Scott (Boy Eats Girls). The film is cast by John Hubbard of Hubbard Casting.

Donegal County Council's film commission spokesperson Aideen Doherty explained that this is a wonderful opportunity for Inishowen, Letterkenny and the entire North West region to raise the profile of the area not only as a film location but also as a tourist destination. "The film itself will bring significant direct revenue into the area that will be particularly available for local accommodation and other service providers during the tourist season."

Ms Doherty also said that the film commission at Donegal County Council have been providing support and local knowledge to the production team over the past year as part of a competitive location selection process.

The film's producer Tina Pehme said that the breathtaking scenery and the overwhelming support and enthusiasm for the film by the local community meant that bringing the film here was an easy decision to make.

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