"The Irish in Film," the free film series sponsored by the Irish Studies Program at Fairfield University, opens on Wednesday, October 2 with the first of four diverse films. The series, now in its sixth year, is part of Fairfield University's "Arts & Minds" season of cultural and intellectual programs, and is open to the public.
The films will be shown in the Multimedia Room of the University's DiMenna-Nyselius Library on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. All but one of the films will be introduced by members of the Irish Studies faculty, who will field questions from the audience after the screenings. Two special guests, novelist Mary Pat Kelly and screenwriter Naomi Sheridan, will introduce and lead the Q&A after "In America," the film slated for October 16.
This year each film will have a "Cities" theme, as part of the University's 2012-2014 interdisciplinary area of focus. The four cities featured in the films are Dublin, Limerick, New York, and Cork.
"In America" (2002) features a family of Irish immigrants who arrive in Manhattan illegally by way of Canada. Directed by Jim Sheridan, and written by Sheridan and his daughter Naomi Sheridan, the film will be screened on October 16. It stars Paddy Considine, the young father who aspires to become a stage actor, and Samantha Morton, as his wife. The couple's two young daughters are played by Sarah and Emma Bolger. Novelist Mary Pat Kelly, author of "Galway Bay" (2009), and screenwriter Naomi Sheridan will present the film and the engage the audience in a Q&A.
For more information, contact Marion White, Irish Studies Program, at (203) 254-4000, ext. 3021 or mwhite@fairfield.edu.