Carlyle takes lead role in Dublin film festival

SCOTTISH actor Robert Carlyle joined hundreds of film lovers at a red carpet premiere to open the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival last night.

Nearly 800 people attended the premiere of the Irish-made The Mighty Celt, which opened the 10-day festival.

The director of the film, Belfast man Pearse Elliott, and Trainspotting actor Carlyle, who stars alongside newcomer Tyrone McKenna, was at the premiere in Dublin’s Savoy Theatre.

Thousands are expected to attend the third annual festival with more than 100 films from 34 countries screening at locations across the capital.

Tickets have already been snapped up for a host of films playing at the festival, which runs until February 20. Several films are already sold out, including The Mighty Celt, Todd Solondz’s Palindromes and the controversial film, Downfall, which follows the last 10 days of the Third Reich.

The Wes Anderson film, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, starring Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and Anjelica Huston, which is set to close the festival on February 20, is also sold out.

“Tickets are selling extremely well and we are way ahead of last year,” a festival spokesman said.

Oscar-nominated film, Hotel Rwanda, from Northern Ireland’s Terry George, will also be shown.

George, who was previously nominated for In the Name of the Father, will attend the screening of the film, in the running for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and the Best Original Screenplay Oscars.