UTV premiere for period film starring Galway actor Tara

A Nightingale Falling, the Irish film set during the War of Independence, which premiered at last year’s Film Fleadh, will have its Irish television premiere this Easter Sunday at 10pm on UTV Ireland.

The film, which stars Knocknacarra woman Tara Breathnach, is set in 1920 when Ireland’s War of Independence was at its height.

Two Anglo-Irish sisters living in the Midlands discover a wounded British officer and must outwit British and IRA forces, as well as confront their own personal rivalry in an attempt to save his life.

Tara plays May while Muireann Bird is her younger sister, Tilly, and Gerard McCarthy takes on the role of the British soldier.

The film is based on the novel by Clare author PJ Curtis and was released in cinemas nationwide last September where it had a successful six-week run.

Having outperformed all expectations for an independently released film here, it continues to expand into new territories, with deals to show it in South Korea, Germany and Hong Kong

It was made by Offaly based Mixed Bag productions, co-directed and produced by Garret Daly and Martina McGlynn alongside producers Gerry Burke and PJ Curtis, and shot in the early summer of 2013 in that county.

In addition to screening A Nightingale Falling on Sunday, UTV will also broadcast a documentary going behind the scenes of the handsomely-made film, which was shot on a minuscule budget.

That will be aired at 4.30pm and will go behind the scenes to show the filmmakers’ resourcefulness in bringing the project to fruition. This involved huge community involvement, with local people doing everything from working as extras to helping with catering and costume changes. And it also featured Ulster Orchestra preparing for and recording their very first film score.

After premiering at the Galway Film Fleadh, A Nightingale Falling went on to win Best Film at Clifden’s the Sky Road Film Festival, Best Feature at Dublin’s Underground Film Festival, and recently picked up an award for Best Drama Score of 2014 at the Reel Music Awards.

■ It will be screened this Sunday night, UTV Ireland at 10pm.