ARTS

STRANGER THAN FICTION FILM FESTIVAL

By Patrick Gormley

The Stranger than fiction film festival kicks off tomorrow the 15th of April in the IFI in Dublin. With four days of documentaries and short films, there should be plenty to suit just about every taste.

Among the highlights will be the European premiere of Chico Colvards remarkable ‘Family Affair’,which takes an intimate look at a shattered family trying to rebuild some semblance of structure. Also featured will be Oliver Stones examination of South American politics,’South of the Border’ and Jose Padihas outstanding documentary ‘Secrets of the Tribe’. The long awaited showing of Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas’s innovative film ‘American: The Bill Hicks Story, is sure to be one of the many hits at this years festival.

Irish interest is strongly represented with ‘Jimmy Murakami: Non Alien’, James Rasins ‘Candy Darling’, Colin Stafford-Johnsons ‘Broken Tail’ and Liz Mermans ‘Horses’ all showing at the four day event.

Those of you looking for a comedic slant should be entertained by the documentary ‘The Topp Twins’, an extremely funny and touching film about New Zealands only twin lesbian yodelling comedy duo. The first showing of Ben Steinbauers short film ‘Winnebago Man’, a very funny look at the life of viral video victim Jack Rebney, is also sure to get the laughs.

There will also be a day of talks from some of the featured directors on Friday 15th April, which is not to be missed by all budding film makers out there.
The festival runs from the 15th to the 18th of April with tickets available online at www.ifi.ie and in the IFI box office.

GIG GUIDE

• Dublin funny man P.J Gallagher plays Vicar Street on Thursday 15th April.

• Self proclaimed hottest British rock band ‘Jim Jones Revue’ bring their live show to CrawDaddy, Harcourt Street on Thursday 15th April.

• Renowned Illusionist Darren Brown treats Dublin to his new show at the Grand Canal Theatre on Thursday 15th April.

Crystal Swing hit Hollywood




By Gillian Stedman

Ireland’s Internet singing phenomenon ‘Crystal Swing’ appeared on Ellen
DeGeneres’ popular American chat show on Monday night.

The famous family band from Cork performed their ‘YouTube’ hit ‘He Drinks Tequila’ followed by a solo performance by youngest member Derek.

According to the Minister for Tourism the performance was an attempt to promote Irish Tourism. During the interview the band presented Ellen with a 12-year-old bottle of Jameson Whiskey, made in their hometown of Midleton, and scenic photographs of Ireland’s coastline.

Crystal Swing have been kept busy with various gigs and interviews over the past few months. It has also been rumored that the family trio will be coming together with X-Factor’s Jedward to release a charity single.

Tourism Ireland's executive vice president for the US and Canada, Joe Byrne, said their American appearance was an incredible opportunity to promote Irish holidays and
in-turn help re-boost our economy.

EDITORIAL

NAMA: OUT OF THE TRAPS AND ALREADY STRUGGLING

The news today that only one-third of loans being acquired by the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) are generating interest payments is a further blow to the credibility of the Government's handling of the financial crisis.

When Nama was launched last year, to huge fanfare from Fianna Fáil and the Greens, it was confidently predicted that Nama would initially earn interest on 40 per cent of the acquired loans. Whatever about the rights and wrongs of NAMA as a scheme, every time there is a story like this public confidence in the Government goes down. And when public confidence goes down public anger generally travels in the opposite direction.

But it was perhaps another revelation from Brendan McDonagh, chief executive of Nama, speaking to an Oireachtas committee yesterday, that will have the biggest impact on the public perception of Nama. Mr McDonagh confirmed that Nama may knock down many of the unfinished properties that is now has responsibility for.

A key visual metaphor for the recession has been the sight of unfinished housing estates and office blocks lying dormant up and down the country. The hope was that these buildings would eventually be finished, perhaps to provide affordable housing to the many people who have been suffered most from the financial crisis.

Instead it seems that many of these buildings will be torn down if NAMA cannot make a profit from them. Surely there is a better way to deal with this? With a bit of imagination these buildings could be used to provide something of a silver lining to the dark cloud that has hung of Ireland for the last few years.

By the Editor (Liam Keegan)


Oxfam snubs Irish Aid


Oxfam’s recent statement regarding charitable donations, reveals a basic misunderstanding regarding the current economic climate.

At a time when many are finding both their jobs and homes at risk it is unseemly to
expect levels of Irish aid to remain as they were pre-2006.

The amount of aid donated by irish people is still one of the highest in the world, expected to be about €671 million.

In contrast to countries like Germany, Italy and Japan whose aid has fell by an average of 10%.

Whilst it is a tragedy that so many people in the developing world still live in dire poverty and increased levels of aid are always desirable. Oxfam risks alienating donars with it’s recent statements.

“This lacklustre performance from donors is not close to meeting the needs of poor countries, who are suffering now from the impact of the economic crisis,” said Max Lawson of Oxfam.

By the Deputy Editor (Caroline Ewins)