TG4 comes into its own with drama and debate

A gritty new drama series on TG4 was the hit of the week for me, so much so, that I can’t wait for the next episode.

Set in a TV newsroom, Corp + Anam (translates as Body + Soul) kicks off with joy riders taking part in a ‘chicken run’ with a tragic result.

The death of five young people in the accident is explored by the intrepid reporter, played by Diarmuid de Faoite and camera woman played by Linda Bhreathnach, both former and current actors of the Irish language channel soap, Rós na Rún.

In fact there were many faces from the soap but once you got into the story line, you could overlook that.

The acting was great but the real star was the filming, which is probably direction. It was fast-paced and realistic, I thought.According to the credits, the story was written and directed by Darach Mac an Iomaire, which is no mean feat.

What struck me watching it was that the television in the Gaeltacht of Galway has come of age – it will be feature films next from the generation that started their training in Hollywood director, Roger Corman’s studios in Connemara.

The television and film industry has produced enough trained crew and talent to make programmes like Corp + Anam without looking outside the locality.

The series also shows that Irish speakers too joyride, indulge in online chat and whatever else everyone else does. This is no kitchen drama showing American wakes nor is it a carry-on type drawing laughs out of stereo typical Gaeltacht situations.

Tune in next Wednesday to episode two and watch out for Maria Doyle Kennedy, she of The Commitments and The Tudors and Tom McArdle, playing the De Faoite’s wife and father respectively.TG4 got kudos in the national media for their leaders’ debate as Gaeilge, where Kenny, Martin and Gilmore proved that they had passed Leaving Cert oral Irish and probably brushed up in Summer colleges.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.