21/09/2010

Breakthru Films and Pillarstone Productions are bringing the story of Cúchulainn, Ireland’s greatest warrior, to the big screen. The Irish Film Board, Northern Island Screen and ITV Global are funding the film’s development, which is part of a multi-platform project that includes a documentary series, stage show, educational programme and graphic novel.

Paul Bolger (Happily N'ever After) will direct the film from a script he has co-written with Barry Devlin (A Kiss for Jed Wood). Tamsin Lyons and Hugh Welchman of Breakthru Films, and Bolger of Pillarstone Productions will produce.

Cúchulainn is the hero of the legendary Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge, which recounts his lone battle to defend his homeland Ulster.

Lyons said, “The story of Cúchulainn has all the action and intrigue of the heroic epics of Scandinavia or Greece, but is relatively unknown outside of Ireland. We can't wait to introduce international audiences to a rich part of Irish culture and storytelling tradition.”

Bolger said, “In recent times the story of Cúchulainn as a boy warrior has often been sanitised for the children’s market and that’s how people remember it. I was more interested in looking instead at the complex character that is Cúchulainn, and to re-imagine his world and story for a modern audience.

“The approach I took was very heavily rooted in the original myth and culture of Pre-Christian and so-called “Celtic” Ireland. The saga is very much a myth with all the magic and mystery that that entails. The world of our Cúchulainn is a complex one that allowed me to paint characters and scenarios on a detailed canvas that speaks of superhuman battles, shape-shifting spirits, politics and loyalty divided.”