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Black '47 (film)

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Black 47
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLance Daly
Screenplay by
  • PJ Dillon
  • Pierce Ryan
  • Eugene O’Brien
  • Lance Daly
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDeclan Quinn
Edited by
  • John Walters
  • Julian Ulrichs
Music byBrian Byrne
Distributed by
Release dates
(US & UK)[3][4]
Running time
96 minutes
Countries
  • Ireland
  • Luxembourg[5]
Languages

Black 47 is a 2018 drama directed by Lance Daly. It stars Hugo Weaving, James Frecheville, Jim Broadbent, Stephen Rea, Freddie Fox, Barry Keoghan, Moe Dunford, and Sarah Greene.[10][11] Set during the Great Irish Famine (1845-!849), its title refers to 1847, the worst year in terms of number of deaths and emigrations. The film is an adaptation of the 2008 Irish language short film An Ranger written and directed by P.J. Dillon and Pierce Ryan, who also co-wrote the screenplay for Black 47.

Black 47 premiered at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival.[12] and will be released on 7 September 2018 in Ireland by Wildcard Distributions,[13] and the 28 September 2018 in the UK and US by Altitude Films and IFC Films[14][15].

Plot

It is 1847 and Ireland is experiencing the worst year of the Great Famine. Martin Feeney (Frecheville) is serving in the British army as a Connaught Ranger in Afghanistan, however, he abandons his post to return home to be with his family. On his arrival in Ireland, Feeney is confronted with an unjust system in operation which has seen his country ravaged by famine. His mother has died, a victim of starvation, his brother has been hanged by an English judge, and forced evictions and dwelling demolitions have compelled the people to survive the harsh winter alone. Feeney’s attempts to emigrate with his sister-in-law (Greene) and her children to America fail, and he becomes desperate watching his family and fellow Irish people waste away. Eventually he snaps and vows to avenge the wrong his family and neighbours have endured at the hands of the corrupt officials who have enforced the brutal British rule of law. In response, Feeney’s old army comrade and friend Hannah (Weaving) is hired to track him down and to put a stop to his wrath. Hannah is accompanied on his journey by Pope (Fox), an arrogant British officer and by a young idealistic man, private Hobson (Keoghan). They are joined by Conneely (Rea), an Irish Language translator who is knowledgeable of the area. All tracks lead to Lord Kilmichael (Broadbent), an unscrupulous farming baron and landlord who views the famine as an opportunity to rid Ireland of its unproductive lazy peasants as tenants. He has been profiting by sending his grain abroad despite the many starving people at his gates.

Cast

Production

Black 47 is a low budget film that has received funding from many private and public production companies, including the Irish Film Board (€750,000), Film Fund Luxembourg, and the Council of Europe’s Eurimages fund (€500,000).[16] [17]

The film is an adaptation from the 2008 Irish language short film An Ranger, starring Owen McDonnell and written and directed by P.J. Dillon and Pierce Ryan, who co-wrote the screenplay for Black 47.[18]

The title Black 47 refers to the year 1847, when death and emigration resulting from starvation, plague and disease lead to the most dramatic population decrease in the entire period of the Great Famine in Ireland.[19][20]

On making the film, Daly highlighted that no film on the Great Famine had been made for the big screen previously, despite the significance of that period to Irish history, and he felt a huge responsibility to tell that story so that it could reach as many people as possible.[21][22][23] Daly also pointed out that Ireland is the only country in Europe that has a lower population now in comparison to 1847.[24] Meanwhile, Stephen Rea remarked how strange it was that a film on the famine had not been done before.[25]

Casting

Hugo Weaving was first cast, while the rest of the ensemble, consisting of Frecheville, Broadbent, Rea,Fox, Dunford, Keoghan, and Greene were confirmed in November 2016.[26][27]

Auditions for background extras with gaunt faces and thin bodies were held on the 23 November 2016 in Temple Bar Dublin.[27][28] However, in January 2017 an urgent casting call for more background extras was made.[29] Daly argued that it was very difficult to attain extras for the film that could resemble people of that period because the population in Ireland today are so well fed. [30]

When a journalist at the Berlin Film Festival press conference questioned if it would have been better to have an Irish actor play the main role in the film, Daly replied that he knew Frenchville was the guy for it the first time he spoke to him on Skype. Frenchville responded that he was pretty Celt and that during the Great Famine Irish people went to Australia, Canada and America. Weaving interceded by saying that all the great Australian heroes are Irish. Daly added that there is a great history of foreign actors coming to Ireland and doing a terrible Irish accent, but Frenchville’s accent is flawless and he also learned to speak Irish.[31] Keoghan revealed he had limited his eating of solids foods and survived on glucose drinks to lose weight for the role.[32]

Filming

Filming took place between the 28 November and 22 December 2016 and from the 6 to the 28 January 2017 in Wicklow, Kildare, and Connemara.[33].[34][35][36]

Music

The score was composed by Golden Globe winner Brian Byrne and features some Irish traditional Uilleann pipe flourishes.[37][38]

Release

Black 47 had its World Premiere at the Berlin Film Festival on the 16th of February 2018.[39][40] It also had screenings at the Dublin International Film Festival (21 February 2018),[41][42] Dingle International Film Festival (24 March 2018),[43][44] Belfast Film Festival (12 April 2018),[45][46] Cannes (9 May 2018),[47][48][49] Galway Film Fleadh (15 July 2018)[50][51][52] and Toronto International Film Festival (6 September 2018).[53][54][55] The film also had a screening at a special event at the Irish Film Institute as part of the art and film exhibition on the Famine in Ireland.[56]

The official UK and Irish trailer for Black 47 was released on the 27th of July 2018.[57]

The release of Black 47 in Ireland and Northern Ireland is by Wildcard Distributions and will have an Irish premiere on the 5th of September before going on general release on the 7th of September 2018, while Altitude Film Distribution will release the film in mainland Britain on the 28th of September and negotiate with other film distributors for the film’s release in other countries?. IFC have taken on the rights for the US market which will release the film on the 28th of September 2018,[58][59] and Ascot Elite will release Black 47 to the German-speaking market.[60]

Historical alterations

While Black 47 is a fictional film set during factual historical events, these are sometimes inaccurate. For instance, Feeney returns to Ireland in 1847 from Afghanistan, where the British are fighting a war. However, the conflict referred to, the First Afghan-Anglo War ended in 1842 hence five years earlier than what is depicted in the film.[61]

The second historical inaccuracy is related to the regiment Feeney is assigned to. The Connaught Rangers did not partake in the the First Afghan-Anglo War, nor were there stationed in Afghanistan during that period or after. In fact, in 1840 they were stationed in the Crown Colony of Malta, before being redeployed to the British West Indies in 1847, where they remained until 1850, when they were moved to Nova Scotia.[62]

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 50% based on 6 reviews, and an average rating of 5/10.[63]

References

  1. ^ Kiang, Jessica (16 February 2018). "Berlin Film Review: 'Black 47'". Variety. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  2. ^ "Irish Action Movie Black 47 Gets Irish Release Date" (1 June 2018) Film in Dublin. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  3. ^ Evans, Greg. (August 16, 2018) IFC Films Nabs U.S. Rights To ‘Black 47’: Lance Daly’s Historical Thriller Recounts Dark Irish Chapter, Deadline Hollywood, retrieved 21 August 2018
  4. ^ Heath, Paul (28 July 2018). "Black 47 trailer lands ahead of a UK release this September" The Hollywood News. Retrieved 21 August 2018
  5. ^ a b c "Film File Black 47". Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  6. ^ Black 47, (2018) Wildcard Distributions, Retrieved 21 August 2018
  7. ^ Black 47, (2018) Altitude, Retrieved 21 August 2018
  8. ^ Black '47, Opens Friday September 28, (August 2018), IFC Center Retrieved on 21 August 2018
  9. ^ Clarke, Stewart. (15 January 2018). Altitude Strikes German Deal for Berlin-Bound ‘Black 47’. Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  10. ^ Mulraney, Frances (29 November 2016). "Irish famine movie 'Black '47' begins filming". IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  11. ^ Klemens, Kristen (29 November 2016). "Shoot underway on 'Black 47' starring Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent | News | Screen". Screendaily.com. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  12. ^ O’Brien, Jennifer (21 February 2018). "'The 'most important story in Irish history' given its cinematic debut". Retrieved 21 February 2018 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  13. ^ "Irish Action Movie Black 47 Gets Irish Release Date" (1 June 2018) Film in Dublin. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  14. ^ Heath, Paul (28 July 2018). "Black 47 trailer lands ahead of a UK release this September" The Hollywood News. Retrieved 21 August 2018
  15. ^ Evans, Greg. (August 16, 2018) IFC Films Nabs U.S. Rights To ‘Black 47’: Lance Daly’s Historical Thriller Recounts Dark Irish Chapter, Deadline Hollywood, retrieved 21 August 2018
  16. ^ Brady, Sasha. (28 November 2016) Shooting Begins on 'Black 47' - the Irish Western Set During the Great Famine. Irish Independent. Retrieved from Independent.ie 28 August 2018
  17. ^ Murphy, Niall. (28 July 2016). Three Irish Projects Receive Eurimages Backing in Latest Round of Funding. Scannain. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  18. ^ Mulraney, Frances. (26 February 2018). Australian Actor on Learning Irish to Star in Black 47 Famine Movie. IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  19. ^ Mulraney, Frances. (29 November 2016).Irish Famine Movie ‘Black ‘47’ Begins Filming. IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  20. ^ Halligan, Fionnuala. (16 February 2018)'Black 47': Berlin Review. Screendaily. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  21. ^ "Irish Action Movie Black 47 Gets Irish Release Date" (1 June 2018) Film in Dublin. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  22. ^ Gallen, Sean. (17 February 2018). Black 47 Press Conference with Director Lance Daly, Hugo Weaving and Cast. The Upcoming. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  23. ^ Gallen, Sean. (19 February 2018).Black 47: An Interview with Hugo Weaving, James Frecheville and Director Lance Daly. The Upcoming. retrieved 28 August 2018
  24. ^ Gallen, Sean. (19 February 2018).Black 47: An Interview with Hugo Weaving, James Frecheville and Director Lance Daly. The Upcoming. retrieved 28 August 2018
  25. ^ Clarke, Donald. Black 47: The Famine on Film – It’s Only Taken 170 Years.The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  26. ^ 'Black 47' Cast Announced. (29 November 2016) Irish Film and Television Network (IFTN). Retrieved 28 August 2018
  27. ^ Upcoming Film Black 47 Adds Jim Broadbent and Others to Cast (29 November 2016) Hot Press. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  28. ^ Murphy, Niall. (21 November 2016) Extras Needed for New Irish Feature Black 47. Scannain. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  29. ^ McNeice, Kate. (11 January 2017). Urgent Casting Call: Feature Film ‘Black 47’ Requires Extras. Irish Film and Television Network (IFTN). Retrieved 28 August 2018
  30. ^ Moe Dunford (Actor), Barry Keoghan (Actor), Freddie Fox (Actor), James Frecheville (Actor), Lance Daly (Director, Screenwriter), Hugo Weaving (Actor), Stephen Rea (Actor), Jim Broadbent (Actor), Sarah Greene (Actress),Moderation: Anatol Weber (16 February 2018). Black 47 Press Conference Audio Visual. Berlin Film Festival. time=1:37-1:43. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  31. ^ Moe Dunford (Actor), Barry Keoghan (Actor), Freddie Fox (Actor), James Frecheville (Actor), Lance Daly (Director, Screenwriter), Hugo Weaving (Actor), Stephen Rea (Actor), Jim Broadbent (Actor), Sarah Greene (Actress),Moderation: Anatol Weber (16 February 2018). Black 47 Press Conference Audio Visual. Berlin Film Festival. time=3:10-5:20. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  32. ^ Mulraney, Frances. 26 February 2018. Australian Actor on Learning Irish to Star in Black 47 Famine Movie. IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  33. ^ Murphy, Niall. (21 November 2016) Extras Needed for New Irish Feature Black 47. Scannain. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  34. ^ Brady, Sasha. (28 November 2016) Shooting Begins on 'Black 47' - the Irish Western Set During the Great Famine. Irish Independent. Retrieved from Independent.ie 28 August 2018
  35. ^ Murray, Suzanne. (29 November 2016) Production Starts on BLACK 47 starring Award-Winning Cast Led by Hugo Weaving and Jim Broadbent. Wildcard Distribution. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  36. ^ Klemens, Kristen. (29 November 2016). Shoot Underway on 'Black 47' Starring Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent. Screendaily. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  37. ^ Brian Byrne Scoring Lance Daly’s ‘Black 47’. (25 September 2018). Film Music Reporter. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  38. ^ Kiang, Jessica. (16 February 2018). Berlin Film Review: 'Black 47'. Variety. Retrieved 28 August 2018
  39. ^ "Film File Black 47". (16 February 2018) Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  40. ^ Llyod, Brian. (15 January 2018) Upcoming Irish Film Black 47 to Premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, Entertainment.ie. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  41. ^ Abbatescianni, Davide. (2 February 2018). The Audi Dublin International Film Festival Unveils its Programme. Cineuropa. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  42. ^ Murray, Suzanne. (25 January 2018). Black 47 Announced as the Opening Film of ADIFF. Wildcard Distribution, Retrieved 29 August 2018
  43. ^ Maurice. (9 March 2018) Black ‘47 to Screen at Dingle International Film Festival. Dingle International Film Festival. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  44. ^ IFB Films at Dingle International Film Festival. (16 March 2018). Irish Film Board. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  45. ^ 18th Belfast Film Festival Set to Host 118 Premieres, (2018). Downtown Radio Retrieved 29 August 2018
  46. ^ Black 47. (2018). Belfast Film Festival. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  47. ^ O'Brien, Jennifer. (11 May 2018). Black 47 and Don’t Go Among Irish Films at Cannes. The Times. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  48. ^ The Irish Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival is Now Open With 27 Irish Titles Selling in the Market. (10 May 2018). Irish Film Board. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  49. ^ Irish Films 2018 at Cannes (2018). Irish Film Board. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  50. ^ Galway Film Fleadh (10th - 15th July 2018). (2018). Galway Tourism.ie. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  51. ^ Murray, Suzanne. (13 June 2018). BLACK 47 Announced as the Closing Film of the 30th Galway Film Fleadh. Wildcard Distribution. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  52. ^ Black 47 (2018) Galway Film Fleadh. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  53. ^ Murray, Suzanne. (14 August 2018). Black 47 to Have North American Premiere at Prestigious Toronto International Film Festival. Wildcard Distribution. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  54. ^ Irish Film Black 47 North American Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival. (16 August 2018). Elle. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  55. ^ Black 47. (2018). Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  56. ^ Murray, Suzanne. (6 March 2018). Black 47 to Have Special Screening in the Irish Film Institute in association with Famine Exhibition. Wildcard Distributions. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  57. ^ Murray, Suzanne. (27 July 2018).The Official Irish/UK Trailer for Epic Feature BLACK 47 Released Today. Wildcard Distribution. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  58. ^ Griffin, Nathan. (17 August 2018). Black 47 Set for U.S. Release as IFC Films Acquires North American Rights Irish Film and Television Network (IFTN). Retrieved 29 August 2019
  59. ^ Evans, Greg. (16 August 2018). IFC Films Nabs U.S. Rights To ‘Black 47’: Lance Daly’s Historical Thriller Recounts Dark Irish Chapter. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  60. ^ Clarke, Stewart. (15 January 2018). Altitude Strikes German Deal for Berlin-Bound ‘Black 47’. Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  61. ^ Downham, John. (2018). The Regiments in Afghanistan 1839-42, 1878-80, and 1919. Lancashire Infantry Museum. Rtrieved 29 August 2018
  62. ^ 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) 1793-1881 Locations. (9 May 2006). Land Forces of Britain, the Empire, and Commonwealth. Retrieved 29 August 2018
  63. ^ "Black 47 (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
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