We continue to digitise the Film West Magazines created and issued by Galway Film Centre between 1989 and 2001. Below is the second round of issues – issues 11-19 of 46 quarterly magazines. (See issues 1-10 here.)  

Issue 11 – Winter 1991/1992 – includes: Winter at the Film Resource Centre saw numerous projects being worked on in different capacities; music videos, documentaries and fundraisers, such as a special screening in the Claddagh Palace cinema of The Rocky Horror Picture Show filled with audience participation. Following a progress assessment on the European Script Fund, Irish filmmakers Bob Quinn, Joe Comerford and Ed Guiney detailed their personal experience with the scheme in trying to secure funding for their projects. These accounts were followed by a piece where Donncha Ó hÉallaithe questioned the government on their failure to deliver the promised Teilifís na Gaeltachta. Finally, a review of Riff Raff by Ivan McMahon and another of the musical variety programme On the Waterfront by Mark Byrne. 

Issue 12 – Spring/Summer 1992 – includes: Not the Euro-Vision: where the sources of film funding available throughout Europe were analysed country by country, all the while comparing the state of play from an Irish standpoint. Film West sat down with documentary filmmaker Errol Morris (Vernon, Florida, The Thin Blue Line) to discuss his films and the making of his upcoming feature A Brief History of Time, about the life and work of cosmologist, Stephen Hawking. Also, a preview of 1992’s Galway Film Fleadh, featuring films from Ireland and around the world, two particularly notable screenings; Gus Van Sant’s My Own Private Idaho and The Coen Brothers’ Barton Fink. New MEDIA Information Officer Daireana Ní Chinnéide talks about her new role and what she hopes to do with this position and finally, a look into new developments in the West’s AV industry in FOCUS WEST. 

Issue 13 –  Currently missing from Ardán collection*

Issue 14   – Winter 1992 – includes: ‘What is an Irish Film?’ drawing quotes from many notable figures of Irish filmmaking to dispute what exactly it takes for a project to be recognised as a work of indigenous Irish cinema. An article on an Italian cinema season in New York City by Paul Power is followed by an interview with David Power, producer and director of Priesthunter, filmed on-location in Galway. Also, copyright laws are discussed, and questions are asked of who truly owns a given film in ‘Private Eye’. Bob Quinn disputes claims of cashing in on the real-life story of Eamonn Casey with his film, The Bishop’s Story, talking about the production process and how the story came to him. Finally, reviews of Jocelyn Moorhouse’s Proof, starring Hugo Weaving and Russel Crowe, and Network 2’s Rant. 

Issue 15 – Spring 1993 -includes: FRC/RTÉ script award winners speaking with Mike Casey, filmmakers Ellin Kavanagh, Anja Seiss and Kathleen O’Driscoll discuss their influences upbringings and aspirations. Terry O’Laoighre of Údaras na Gaeltachta discussed the government’s commitment to a television service for Gaeltacht regions and commissioners from RTÉ, BBC and Channel 4 write in to tell writers what it takes to have a script commissioned. Different sources of film funding were showcased to readers and Daireana Ní Chinnéide wrote about the European Script Seminar, focussing on funding and developmental courses for Irish writers. Finally, a six-page exposé on censorship in Irish cinema and an interview with new Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Michael D. Higgins. 

Issue 16 – Summer 1993 – includes: Teilifís 1994, the Irish Language Television Conference featuring accounts from Bob Quinn, Lelia Doolan and An Fear Faire about the event, from its running to its implications for the future of Irish language television and the hopes of the AV industry going forward. Also, a preview of the Film Fleadh, featuring films such as Roddy Doyle’s The Snapper, Carl Franklin’s One False Move and Bigas Luna’s Jamón Jamón, as well as a special tribute to the Taviani Brothers. Finally, Noel McGee discusses the dangers and potential pitfalls of the proposed video certification requirements for film fans and creators. 

Issue 17 – May 1994 – includes: The Birth of Frank Pop, retrospectives on the recent Celtic Film Festival and an opinion piece on the state, and future, of Irish Cinema. An interview with CEO of Bord Scannán na hÉireann, Rod Stoneman about the Bord’s commitment to furthering Irish filmmakers’ efforts regardless of project scope. Also, a piece on Irish feature, Broken Harvest, directed by Maurice O’Callaghan; a profile on filmmaker Justin McCarthy, a piece on the state of Irish television and censorship; reviews for Mike Leigh’s Naked and Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs. 

Issue 18 – July 1994 – includes: Profile of American filmmaker Hal Hartley (Trust, The Unbelievable Truth, Amateur); An interview with Chris O’Grady, a Principal Officer in the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht about bringing global filmmakers to Ireland to develop the industry, Pat Collins spoke with documentary filmmaker Louis Marcus and technological developments, such as the arrival of AVID in Galway are also discussed. 

Issue 19 – Winter 1994 – includes: A profile by Vincent Browne on the documentary film Man of Aran in a special retrospective following its 1994 video release. Pat Collins speaks to Kevin Moriarty, Ardmore Chief Executive and Chairperson of Film-Makers Ireland, about advice for entry-level filmmakers and the state of film in Ireland. Pat also speaks to Mary Holland about the Troubles and the coverage of certain stories in the North from Irish and British journalists. Special interviews with filmmakers John Roberts (War of the Buttons) and John T. Davis (The Uncle Jack) are followed by a review of Tarkovsky’s Ivan’s Childhood. Finally, an interview with Cathal Goan, Ceannaire of Teilifís na Gaeilge, about his vision and expectations for the future Irish language television service. 

Above are 11-19 of 46 Film West magazine issues. *Unfortunately issue 13 is currently missing from our collection. If you have information on issue 13, or a copy, do let us know! 

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