Comedy will be fans angling for a few fishing tips at Chaplin festival
Chaplin, who holidayed in the south Kerry seaside town for many years, and whose family still own holiday homes there, was a keen fly fisherman on Lough Currane, a world famous salmon and sea trout lake.
As well as a competition for films in the Chaplin spirit, this week’s packed programme — from Thursday to Sunday — will include a “Funny Fish Foto” competition, to be judged by the actor’s grandson, Arthur Gardin. Wednesday is the closing date for entries.
Charlie Bird is set to MC the opening night on Thursday, and the festival runs until Sunday.
The judges in the short comedy film category include the film-maker David F Knight and documentary-maker Ken McMullen, while Chaplin experts such as film critic and author David Robinson and Academy award-winner Kevin Brownlow will speak on Chaplin’s legacy.
Several of Chaplin’s films are to be screened, including the 1928 classic The Circus, along with 1917’s satirical The Immigrant, a film that was later used as evidence of alleged anti-Americanism during the 1950s McCarthy era, when Chaplin was forced to leave the US.
Fossett’s Circus is setting up in Waterville for the festival to honour Chaplin, and its big top will host tea dances and balls in the spirit of the 1920s, as well as a Tramps’ Ball in the Big Top.
When it comes to trout fishing, however, the actor may well have used his well-known saying: “Failure is unimportant — it takes courage to make a fool of yourself ”.
“He was a better comedian than a fisherman,” said one local. However, he was immensely proud of his catches and regularly had himself photographed with his trout.
The funny fish photograph competition is open to anyone in Ireland, and the winner and two runners-up s will be exhibited in the Information Centre during the film festival.
* Entries and details should be sent in PDF form to info@chaplinfilmfestival.com. The closing date is Wednesday, August 24.
