'Strange Occurrences' - film about Knock Shrine released this week
Directed by Aoife Kelleher, 'Strange Occurrences in a small Irish village' opens in Irish cinemas on Friday. The film's title is derived from the international press coverage at the time. The film develops a fascinating, vibrant portrait of the phenomenon by examining the vast patchwork of individuals and groups involved. It presents a balanced opportunity for believers to celebrate the phenomenon and those who facilitate its ongoing success, while for sceptics it allows a fascinating glance into the thriving world, and business, of Ireland's Marian Shrine.
Director Aoife Kelleher commented: "It's very important that every generation interrogate the stories that are passed down to them, and look at them afresh, and decide for themselves whether they should be embraced and preserved or discarded. The story itself is so fantastic that you completely want to get to the bottom of it. You want to know what it is that they saw and how it was spoken about at the time."
Kelleher continues: "It's a documentary about religion rather than a religious documentary. At the very heart of Knock is this story about an apparition, but in making the documentary we wanted to look at the apparition in its social context and its historical context."
Strange Occurrences in a small Irish village is an Underground Films production in association with RTÉ and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in association with Shoot for the Moon and in association with Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board.
The film is released in Irish cinemas on Friday, August 26th in the following cinemas:
Mayo Movie World, Castlebar
Eye Cinema, Galway
IMC, Ballina
Carrick Cineplex, Carrick-on-Shannon
IMC Mullingar
IMC Athlone
IMC Tullamore
Irish Film Institute, Dublin
Lighthouse, Dublin
IMC Dun Laoghaire
For more information see:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/knockfilm/
Twitter: @ugfilms #knockfilm
website: www.undergroundfilms.ie