"The Irish in Film," the free movie series sponsored by the Irish Studies Program at Fairfield University, opens on Wednesday, October 3, with the first of four diverse films. The series, now in its fifth year, is part of Fairfield University's Arts & Minds season of cultural and intellectual programs.
The October 10 film is "A Boatload of Wild Irishmen" (2011), a documentary based on the films of the Irish American filmmaker Robert Flaherty (1884-1951). Flaherty is best known for "Man of Aran"(1934), which depicts the life of the islanders and their heroic struggle for survival in the harsh environment off the coast of Galway. Though it was considered an authentic portrayal of the Aran fishermen for many years, documentary director Mac Dara O'Curraidhin and writer Brian Winston reveal how Flaherty staged much of the film. Dr. William Abbott, associate professor of history, will present the film.
The films will be shown in the multimedia room of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Fairfield University welcomes the public to these free screenings. Light refreshments will be served.
Dr. Nels Pearson, director of the Irish Studies Program, will host the presentations. He will be joined by other Irish Studies professors, who will field questions after the films.
For more information, contact Marion White, Irish Studies Program, at (203) 254-4000, ext. 3021 or mwhite@fairfield.edu.