An Taibhse to haunt Ennis FilmFest this month

BRINGING the first ever horror film to be made entirely in the Irish language to the big screen in Ennis is like “coming back home with the All Ireland”, says the Clare star of the movie.
Actor Tom Kerrisk from Langough near Newmarket-on-Fergus stars in acclaimed new film An Taibhse (The Ghost) which was executive produced by six-time Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan.
The film will be screened in the county as part of this year’s Ennis International Fantastic Filmfest which returns for its third year and will run from October 25 to 27.
Made for just €3,000 the movie which is set in post-famine Ireland has been earning critical acclaim with sold out screenings including at London’s Leicester Square Odeon.
The Ennis screening will take place on Sunday, October 27 at Arc Cinema followed by a Q&A with director John Farrelly and lead actor Tom.
Speaking to The Clare Champion ahead of the festival, Tom tells us the film’s use of the Irish language, where not one word of English is spoken, is “breaking all sorts of historical milestones”.
The award winning actor hopes An Taibhse will encourage a greater interest in developing more movies in our native language in the future.
“There is definitely a market for it. Films made in Denmark, or a film made in Germany, they are not going to do it in English. They are going to do it in their native language. I think we need to have a bit more grá for our own language. Film and music, even writing in the native language all keep it alive, but especially film, because it is a visual medium,” he said.
Without giving too much of the plot away, Tom explains the film tells the story of a father and daughter working as caretakers of a remote mansion after the famine when “supernatural forces descend upon them”.
The small cast also includes Livvy Hill and Anthony Murphy with Tom saying, “There are only really three of us in the film and there was a really good energy”.
After choosing to premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh due to its Irish connection the film sold out its debut screening and has since been selling out festivals worldwide including London’s Frightfest.
Tom describes the positive reaction so far, including its successful London premiere, as “unbelievable”.
“We showed it over in London at Frightfest and before we got there the event organisers said it had sold out,” he said.
“That was in the main screen, in the Odeon where the James Bond premiere happened, Avatar happened, massive films, and we sold it out.
“Afterwards we did a little Q and A and the first thing I said to the audience was you have no idea how proud and how honoured we feel being able to have our Irish language here in London, with all our chequered history and everything.
“That they all turned up, and they actually watched it, and they all commented on how interesting and unique the language was. People are really interested in the film and it’s great.”
Tom is this week preparing to head to the Newport Beach Film Festival in LA for the US première of the movie ahead of returning to Clare for the Ennis International Fantastic Filmfest.
“The Newport Film Festival have always been really good with Irish films, so we are really excited for the US premiere and I’m sure it will go down a treat,” he said.
As well as starring in the film, Tom is also an executive producer and he worked on the music with fellow musician Ally Donald. Growing up playing traditional music Tom went on to form rock bands, playing with The Spikes in the early 2000s which were signed in Germany and released two albums. He still gigs in the band ‘Daft Pop’ and continues to write original music.
“I’m never not gigging, so when the director John said he needed to get music for the film I said let me try,” he said.
“Like everything, if I take on a project, I’m not just going to do my part. I want to be able to get involved in everything and learn everything about it. I’m just into everything, I’m not a one trick pony.”
This is the second film written and directed by John Farrelly which Tom has been involved with, having also starred in The Sleep Experiment. He describes John as “phenomenal, an absolutely groundbreaking talent”.
He adds, “And of course, Jim Sheridan doesn’t put his name to just anything. When you have a man of six Academy Award nominations vouching for your work, it’s all John Farrelly.
“I’m just the actor, but at the end of the day, he is the genius behind it all.”
It is hoped the film will go on wider release in cinemas next year with meetings currently underway for global distribution.
However for those who don’t want to wait that long they can see it in Ennis this month just in time for the spooky Hallowe’en season.
Tom says he can’t wait for the Clare screening, revealing he even changed his flight back from LA to ensure he was here for the event.
“It’s going to be massive. Especially the same year we won the All Ireland. It will be like me coming back home with the All Ireland bringing a film here, a film that we made ourselves, completely independent. We paid for everything ourselves. We did the whole thing for €3,000 and it is great to have been able to do that and then come back to Clare with it,” he said.
“This shows if you have the desire and you have to drive, you will do it. A lot of people wait and look for money and all that sort of stuff. But, just get up and do it yourself you know.
“When I heard that it had got in to the Ennis festival, I changed my flight to come back because I had actually planned to stay in LA for a little longer.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world, no way. To be back in the Banner, I can’t wait.”
For more on the screening of An Taibhse and other events as part of the Ennis International Fantastic Filmfest visit ennisinternationalfantasticfilmfest.com.