Bringing Forgotten Maggies to Kildare
The Prosperous man behind the documentary The Forgotten Maggies has said the filmmakers are hoping to show the film in Kildare.
The film, which was made with practically no budget over the last couple of years by Ger Boland and his Cork-based fellow filmmaker Steven O'Riordan, was shown last week at the Galway Film Fleadh, and has prompted a huge reaction.
The film looks at the injustices women suffered within Magdalene Laundry institutions, an area ignored under the original remit of the Abuse Commission and 2002 Redress Act.
"Literally everyone in Galway was left in tears after hearing the shocking stories told by four brave, eloquent and clearly damaged women whose lives have been indelibly marked by the Magdalene Laundries," Ger told the Leinster Leader.
"We have been contacted by the Michigan Film Festival and are discussing doing a tour of American Film Festivals with 'The Forgotten Maggies'. The New York Film Academy has also asked for a screening and has told us that there is considerable media interest in the film.
"We have contacted all of the distribution companies in Ireland and we are hoping to get a general release in the cinemas after an event planned in Cork and it seems that the documentary's reach won't end there."
Ger explained that the participants in the documentary, Mary King, Maureen O'Sullivan, Kathleen Legg and Mary Collins, have been "overwhelmed by the response to their stories. They are glad that people are talking about this and that their stories are out there now. All we're doing is telling the women that we believe their stories, that we are listening and that we understand how painful and emotional it is for them to speak out.
"I am hoping to show the film in Kildare but as this is all voluntary work we need the help of the public. I would be hoping to get a venue free of charge to show the film," he explained, adding that he had contacted Kildare TD'S looking for support in getting a venue.
"We are now hoping to have a huge event in Cork and we have calling on all hotels in Cork to put up any former laundry workers who want to attend the event free of charge."
He explained that hotels benefited from sending their laundry to the Magdalene Laundries, of which there were two in Cork.
And they're hoping to get high level female politicians and public figures to attend the screening to lend their support to these women and the thousands of women like them scattered around the world.
"Already, Kathleen Lynch, Deirdre Clune and other leading figures have agreed to give the event their support and C103FM has come on board as an advertising sponsor.
If people are interested in seeing the film and helping with getting it screened please ring Ger 085-1467034.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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