Besom Productions
The Far Side of Revenge
'The Far Side of Revenge' was originally produced as a 72' experimental, feature Arts Documentary Under the Reel Art Scheme funded by The Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon administered by Filmbase, Dublin.
The film was premiered at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival on 21 February 2012.
In 2013 BBC Northern Ireland commissioned a TV x 59'version.
Broadcast on 13 November 2013 at 22.35 hrs.
Director/Producer: Margo Harkin
Festival version Commissioners: Fionnuala Sweeney for The Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Gráinne Humphreys, Festival Director, the Jameson International Dublin International Film Festival.
Executive Producer for BBC Northern Ireland: Deirdre Devlin
Production Company: Besom Productions Ltd.
Broadcaster: BBC Northern Ireland - Broadcast (Recut 59' TV version) on 13 November 2013 at 22.35.
Billing
Teya Sepinuck is the bomb disposal expert of troubled spirits. Her hybrid form of drama puts marginalised people at the core of a new type of theatre performance in which they perform their own, often shocking, stories to the public.
Synopsis
The documentary 'The Far Side of Revenge' explores Teya Sepinuck's engagement with a group of Northern Irish women from backgrounds and histories so diverse that it would be difficult to imagine them sharing a space, let alone creating a public, cultural event together. In the film they create a theatre performance titled 'I Once Knew a Girl' which was performed in Derry's Playhouse Theatre in December 2010 before going on tour.
Kathleen, whose husband, along with 5 British soldiers, was blown up by the IRA in 1990, now performs on stage with Anne, a former quartermaster in the IRA whose uncle was killed by the British Army on Bloody Sunday in 1972. Under Teya's guidance six cast members allow themselves to reveal the deep emotions that can be explored only now in post-conflict Northern Ireland. Her revolutionary 'Theatre of Witness' is an adventure in human relations that surprises even the performers of this most unusual form of public expression. Filmmaker Margo Harkin delivers a penetrating insight into a process of creation where the pain of individual stories is counterbalanced by the joyful bond that deepens between the women over a nine-month period.
JFIFF is the foremost Film Festival in Ireland - taking place each year in February. It premieres international and indigenous films and is a partner in the Reel Art scheme - guaranteeing a premiere to each of the three awarded films every year.
A short interview with Margo Harkin on Day 5 of the Jameson International Dublin Film Festival about 'The Far Side of Revenge'.
A hightlight about 'The Far Side of Revenge' by Nick Higgins for JDIFF TV from Dublin Film Festival.
Report on The Far Side of Revenge from Film Ireland magazine on 21 February 2012
For a more detailed view of the production notes click here.
Awards
WINNER: Best Documentary, Foyle Film Festival, November 2012
NOMINATED: The Artraker Award 2014
Domestic viewing copies available on DVD for £17 (inclusive of VAT) plus postage and packing. For Institutional rates and/or other teaching purposes, please contact Margo at margo@besomproductions.co.uk.