Connemara TV show goes international
A five-part Irish language mini-series made in Connemara and starring a largely Galway cast has landed a rare international distribution deal that should see it aired on TV screens around the world.
An Bronntanas (The Gift) is a contemporary thriller featuring a volunteer lifeboat crew patrolling the west coast.
When the rescue crew answers a distress call on a stormy night, they discover an abandoned fishing boat, with a dead woman and over a million euro worth of drugs onboard.
The crew is faced with two choices – they must either bring the woman on shore and hand the drugs to the authorities or abandon the body and divide out the spoils.
The unexpected windfall proves too much temptation in the depths of a recession. However their decision sees their lives spiral into a world of paranoia, violence and tragedy.
The French company, Lagardère Entertainment (LE) Rights, secured the overseas rights to the thriller, which they launched at Europe’s largest TV market last week in Cannes.
An Bronntanas producer, Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, said was a huge achievement to be chosen by such a key distributor given how competitive the market is right now for international drama.
“It’s rare for an Irish language production to get an international distribution deal – I’m not aware of any other one – so we’re absolutely delighted. The biggest thing for me on a personal level is that is seen by as many people as possible,” he enthused.
“This is an Irish language series shot all over west Galway and Galway city. Connemara is as much of a star as the stars themselves. It’s very significant.”
Frederick Range, head of acquisitions at LE Rights described An Bronntanas as a great addition to their slate.
“We distribute a lot of long-running French series, but very few mini-series so we are so thrilled to have a series of this calibre and excellence to take to the market at in Cannes. It’s a great story, very well written and produced, we really believe it will have huge appeal for the international market.”
When the series was broadcast on TG4 at the end of last year it reported an impressive six-fold increase among 15 to 34-year-old audiences.
TG4 announced that it had attracted 340,000 viewers for its first four episodes – making it one of the most popular original drama series ever broadcast on the Irish language station.
The film version of An Bronntanas also enjoyed considerable success, with screenings in Australia, Barbados, Washington, Chicago, Boston and Rome. The film recently received the Jury's Special Award at the Boston Irish Film Festival. It is also in the running for accolades at the Irish Film & Television Academy awards.
Made on a very modest budget of around €2m - the RTE drama Love/Hate reportedly cost up to €600,000 per episode - any money from distribution rights will go back to a long list of funders.
Directed by Tom Collins (Kings) and produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh (Cré na Cille) and Tom Collins, An Bronntanas stars Dara Devaney (Na Cloigne), Owen McDonnell (Single Handed), Michelle Beamish (Crisis Eile), Pól Ó Gríofa (Ros Na Rún), Charlotte Bradley and Janusz Sheagall. Cian de Buitléar was cinematographer.
The Hollywood star, John Finn – who is a regular face on the American cop series Cold Case - learned Irish for his role as local Garda sergeant Seán Óg Greene.
The script was written by Tom Collins, Paul Walker and Eoin McNamee.
Given its success, is there any chance of a sequel?
“There’s a lot of interest in a second series, we haven’t had any confirmation, but there’s no reason why not. It’s not that the demand is not there but to be honest it’s been a huge achievement to even get this far for an Irish language drama series,” remarked the producer.
“We’d hoped we’d be as good as the big boys. LE Rights see the series as having great potential and this acquisition is testament to that.”