EXCLUSIVE: Celtic Utopia (Útóipe Cheilteach), the documentary feature on Irish folk music set to debut this year at Locarno, has been picked up by Croatian sales outfit Split Screen.
Split Screen will rep world sales on the film, which will screen in the Semaine de la Critique section (Critics’ Week) competition at Locarno.
The film tells the story of a new Ireland through its vibrant music scene, capturing a post-colonial society where folk music reflects both the weight of historical trauma and the hope of a brighter future.
Dennis Harvey and Lars Lovén directed the film, which is an MDEMC production, produced by Elin Lilleman Eriksson. Marta Dauliūtė and Elisabeth Marjanović Cronvall served as executive producers, Tuva Björk and Jamie Goldrick served as cinematographers, sound design was provided by Thomas Jansson, and editing was done by Dominika Daubenbüchel.
The film features performances and appearances from artists such as The Mary Wallopers, Negro Impacto, The Deadlians, Jinx Lennon, Poor Creature, Branwen, Lankum, Naoise Mac Cathmhaoil, Rising Damp, Young Spencer, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Róis, Post Punk Podge, Susan Hughes, Tadhg Mulligan, Alfie Mulligan, Múlú, Niamh Moriarty, Cathail O’Mhaoil, Summer Newman, Eimear Níc Ionnrachtaigh and Eoghan Ó Garmaile.
“We’re delighted to have partnered with Split Screen, who we know will be able to bring our film to audiences around the world,” Harvey and Lovén said in a statement.
“In a time where oppression, occupation, and war have become ambient, Útóipe Cheilteach plays at a different frequency, where hope is possible and a brighter future may be realised.”
The deal was negotiated between producer Elin Lilleman Eriksson and Marcella Jelic, Head of Sales at Split Screen.
