Celebrating film-making from Northern Ireland.

Starting tonight on BBC 2 Northern Ireland @ 9pm with...

Middletown 95mins

Set in the heart of Ireland's bible belt, this explosive drama takes a hard look at how religion brings families together and pulls them apart.

After fulfilling his religious instruction, Preacher Gabriel returns home to Middletown and finds gambling, drinking and sinning at every turn. His prodigal brother, Jim is threatened by Gabriel's moral crusade. He fights back as his wife, his marriage and his livelihood come under attack. Can Gabriel save everyone in Middletown from eternal damnation? Or is it Jim who should save Gabriel? Contains some strong language and violent scenes. [S]

Gabriel Hunter ...... Matthew Macfadyen
Jim Hunter ...... Daniel Mays
Caroline ...... Eva Birthistle
Bill Hunter ...... Gerard McSorley
Ned ...... Richard Dormer
Sammy ...... David Wilmot
Rev. Cray ...... Mick Lally
Mrs Lennon ...... Sorcha Cusack
Bap Miller ...... David Herlihy
Pokey ...... Frankie McCafferty
Tessie ...... Bronagh Gallagher
Adele ...... Charlene McKenna
Agnes ...... Marie Jones
Bin ...... Lalor Roddy
Young Gabriel ...... Tyrone McKenna
Young Jim ...... Niall Wright
Young Ned ...... John Joe McNeill
Young Sammy ...... Declan Magee

Continuing with...

TITANIC TOWN - Sunday 26 August
The second film, black comedy drama Titanic Town, remains a seminal film from Northern Ireland and stars the indomitable Julie Walters as a housewife who becomes spokeswoman for the fledgling peace movement and the pawn of two entrenched traditions. The film also stars Ciarán Hinds, Nuala O’Neill and Ciarán McMenamin.

A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE - Sunday 2 September
A Man of No Importance written by Tyrone man Barry Devlin (of Horslips fame) is an extraordinary tale of an ordinary man as he struggles with temptation, friendship, disapproval, and the conservative yet oddly lyrical world of Ireland in the early 1960s. Albert Finney is exceptional in the title role, ably supported by a stellar cast including Brenda Fricker, Michael Gambon, Rufus Sewell and Tara Fitzgerald.

A LOVE DIVIDED - Sunday 9 September
A Love Divided, with Orla Brady and Liam Cunningham is the moving and dramatic love story of a marriage between a Catholic and a Protestant in 1950s Ireland.

WILD ABOUT HARRY - Sunday 16 September
From Bangor born writer Colin Bateman, Wild About Harry tells the story of Harry McKee - a middle-aged, worse-for-wear, Belfast breakfast television presenter whose work and marriage are falling apart. With Brendan Gleeson, Amanda Donohue and Adrian Dunbar.

THE MIGHTY CELT - Sunday 23 September
Last in the series, from Belfast writer-director Pearse Elliott comes The Mighty Celt. Starring Robert Carlyle, Gillian Anderson and Ken Stott and introducing newcomer Tyrone McKenna, the film is a poignant coming-of-age story of Donal, who learns some harsh lessons about life through the world of greyhound racing.

source - Northern Ireland Screen

Unmissable!