John B’s movie for silver screen

THE spirit of John B Keane will be celebrated in Listowel tonight with the screening of his novel Durango as part of the Kerry Film Festival.

Made for television in 1999, the film — starring Brenda Fricker, Patrick Bergin, Eamon Morrissey and Pat Laffan — will be seen for the first time ever in a cinema.

“Durango was made specifically for television and the fact that it is being shown for the first time on the big screen in John B’s hometown is very fitting,” says Classic Cinema owner Kieran Gleeson.

Set in 1939, the story follows the adventures of Mark Doran, a small farmer who decides to bypass the crooked middlemen in the beef trade through the unprecedented step of taking his cattle direct to market.

Opting to lead “the great October cattle drive of Tubberlick” 40 miles across open country rather than deal with avaricious local dealers, Doran and his crew encounter many obstacles on route.

As John B’s tribute to the great cattle drives of countless Westerns, Durango’s adaptation into a screenplay allowed the revered Listowel writer experience first-hand the peculiarities of movie production.

Observing the film’s director Brent Shields at work, John B said: “If you put a herd of cattle into the hands of an American film director, he just can’t resist the impulse to drive them into the nearest river. It seems to be an essential part of their training.”

A full house is expected for tonight’s screening. “Anything associated [with] John B is always extremely well-supported in this part of the world,” says Mr Gleeson.

“We particularly wanted to include this screening as part of the festival, something rare and unusual that we feel will be very well received by the people of Listowel.”

Another Listowel native, director PJ Dillon will also be celebrated this week with the screening of two of his films at the festival.

My Brothers, which stars Don Wycherley, and Rewind, with Amy Huberman starring, will be shown at the Classic on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“In his relatively short career so far, PJ has made a huge impact on Irish film in his work as a cinematographer and director,” says Mr Gleeson.

“Having the work of a classic master like John B followed later in the week by the rising profile of PJ Dillon will make for a wonderful celebration of local talent.”

Rounding out the week is Sensation, the new comic tale from director Tom Hall concerning a small Irish farmer, Domhnall Gleeson, who tries to make ends meet by opening a brothel.

* Film Festival runs until next Saturday, November 5.