Dust off your top hat and tails

This Friday, the Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) will unveil John Ford’s long-lost ‘Upstream’ to virginal Irish audiences.

Film-lovers can view the the recently-unearthed celluloid classic in the IFI in Templebar.

Made five years after the birth of the Irish Free State, ‘Upstream’ lay forlorn in the New Zealand Film Archive for over 80 years, thought lost forever.

Over 60 feature films from the legendary filmmaker’s early career have since resurfaced. This is particularly important in the digital age, as the seminal films can now be copied and preserved. The 35mm celluloid prints do not last forever, and many Hollywood greats have long since crumbled into dust.

This coming Friday the burlesque comedy, set in a boarding house filled with quirky performers, will have its Irish premiere at the John Ford Ireland Film Symposium.

This is 
the world’s only print copy of ‘Upstream’.
 Film historian Charles Barr, Emeritus Professor at the University of East Anglia, will introduce it and set the scene for the silent film. In fine traditional style, renowned pianist Conor Lenihan will provide the requisite musical accompaniment.

Run time: June 7 – 10.
Tickets €8.00 here