Ár gCluiche Féin: "Is scannán é seo faoi fhéiniúlacht agus grá"

Tháinig an smaoineamh don scannán seo chugam in 2017. Bhí mé ag freastal ar Chluiche Ceannais Camógaíochta na hÉireann. Bhí mo dheirfiúr ar an bpáirc ag imirt do Bhaile Átha Cliath, agus le linn na gcluichí, thosaigh mé ag cur an scéal seo le chéile.

Ní rud éasca é scannán a chur i gcrích, agus in amanta, tá sé níos deacra gearrscannán a dhéanamh. Bhí an t-ádh orainn go raibh criú cumasach agus díograiseach againn a thug a gcuid ama don scéal seo. Rinne siad é mar gheall gur chreid siad sa scéal, agus cé go bhfuil íoróin ag baint leis, nuair a bhí muid i mbun scannánaíochta, mhothaigh mé mar bhall d’fhoireann.

Scrúdaíonn an scannán seo na dúshláin atá le sárú ag fir aerach sa spórt ag tabhairt léargas domhain daonna ar na constaicí atá ina gcoinne. Mhothaigh mé ó thús gur ceart an scéal seo a insint inár dteanga féin. Is scannán é seo faoin bhféiniúlacht, faoin gcultúr, faoin ngrá. Tá sé fite fuaite sa chreatlach shóisialta atá againn - cé muid féin, agus cé a theastaíonn uainn a bheith.

Bhí roinnt ama agam le Cormac de Bhál agus Oisín Thompson sular thosaigh muid ag taifeadadh agus chabhraigh an léargas a bhí acu ar na carachtair ardú céime a thabhairt don script. Nuair a thosaigh muid ag taifeadadh, bhí Paddy C. Courtney, Donncha Crowley, Gearóid Kavanagh agus Daithí O’Donnell linn chun an domhan seo a chur ar an scáileán.

Bhí an t-ádh dearg linn gur bé Daithí Ó Drónaí a chum an ceol don scannán. Tá cumas ar leith aige scéal a insint lena chuid ceol agus d’fhag sé lorg ar an scannán a thug féiniúlacht agus rithim dó.

Thóg sé tamall fada an scéal seo a chur ar an scáileán. Tá mé fíor-bhíoch don scéim Céim Eile (atá maoinithe ag TG4, Fís Éireann agus An Chiste Craoltóireachta Gaeilge), agus dóibh siúd ar fad a chreid sa scéal seo agus a thug seans dom é a insint.

Tar éis beagnach 9 mbliana, tá mé an-bhródúil go bhfuil mé ann an scannán seo a thaispeáint faoi dheireadh agus go mbeadh an chéadtaibhiú Éireannach ag Fleadh Scannán na Gaillimhe i mí Iúil.

Is iad Úna Spillane agus Ann Ní Chíobháin atá mar léiritheoirí ar Ár gCluiche Féin, agus is í an ceamaradóir ildánach Carol Tormey atá mar stiúrthóir fótagrafaíochta agus sé Seán Keeley a bhí mar eagarthóir.

 

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Ár gCluiche Féin tells the story of two young Gaelic footballers caught in a secret relationship, navigating desire and loyalty in a world of tradition, masculinity and unspoken rules.

Director Medb Johnstone reflects on its creation.

The idea for Ár gCluiche Féin first came to me in 2017. I was at the All-Ireland Camogie final, where my sister was representing Dublin. Somewhere between the matches I started to dream up this story.

Making a film is hard. Sometimes, making a short film can be even harder. We were lucky to work with a talented crew who believed in this story. As ironic as it is, when we were filming, I felt like I was part of a team.

Telling a story about the challenges faced by gay men in sport in our own language felt right. This is a film about identity and culture and love. It’s interwoven into the fabric of how we are and who we want to be.

I had some time to work through the script with Cormac de Bhál and Oisín Thompson before filming, and their insights into the characters lifted the story off the page. When it came to shooting, Paddy C. Courtney, Donncha Crowley, Gearóid Kavanagh and Daithí O’Donnell completed the world of our film.

Being longtime fans of Daithí Ó Drónaí's work, we asked him if he was interested in composing the score for the film. His ability to transform music into storytelling elevated every scene gave the film a unique rhythm.

Daithí

It’s been a long road to bring the story to screen. I’m very grateful to the Céim Eile Scheme (funded by TG4, Screen Ireland and the ILBF), and everyone who believed in this story and made it possible.

Almost nine years later, I’m very proud to finally be able to show this film and to have the Irish premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh this July. Ár gCluiche Féin is produced by Úna Spillane and Ann Ní Chíobháin, Carol Tormey served as Director of Photography. The film was edited by Seán Keeley.

Every year, communities across the country gather to celebrate the Irish language during Seachtain na Gaeilge – whether they’re fluent speakers, learners, or just have a few treasured phrases. With a big focus on exploring and enjoying our native tongue, the festival reminds us that Irish is for everyone – with local authorities, clubs, schools, libraries and community organisations all playing an important role in bringing our beautiful language to their local area from March 1–17, through a calendar events for people of all ages and interests.

See here, or snag.ie for more