Edinburgh – The Pipe plus Director Q&A, Sat 28 May, 20:15, Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road
With arrests at multiple protests in the last few weeks, the cinematic release of The Pipe comes at an intense time for the five-year battle between oil-giant Shell and the people of Rossport, County Mayo.
The Pipe exposes the dramatic story of how plans to drive a gas pipeline through a small Irish fishing village came to divide the community, and the battle of local people against both Shell, and the Irish Government.
In May 2011 the pipe-line’s construction site has been attacked by protests halting work, whilst police defending the site have been accused of intimidation and violence .
Winning praise internationally and awards including the Grand Prix at the Circom festival and Best Documentary at the Irish Film & Television Academy Awards , director Richie O’Donnell will tour Scotland for a series of special screenings with audience Q&A.
The events, taking place in Edinburgh, Dundee and Inverness on 28-30 May, accompany the movie’s general release in cinemas. Organised by Take One Action – Scotland’s global action cinema project – they form part of “Green Shoots”, a year long celebration of cinema exploring environmental and climate change themes.
Film Synopsis: Reminiscent of Local Hero, but infinitely more troubling, this gripping and beautifully-shot film tells the real-life (and ongoing) story of Shell UK’s plans to lay a giant, high-pressure gas pipe through the town and fishing waters around Rossport, County Mayo, to a new inland refinery. When the residents, farmers and fishermen of Rossport stand up to oppose the project, fearing the risks of pollution and the threat to traditional economic activities, the film plunges us into the frightening and at times life-threatening clashes between protesters and police at sea and on land, and between locals themselves, begging the question: what responsibility do government and big energy have to the communities they profit from?
Take One Action is Scotland’s global action cinema project celebrating the people and movies that are changing the world. The Green Shoots project, funded by the Scottish Government, is getting audiences to contribute to cutting 150 tonnes of carbon emissions over a year. Visit http://www.takeoneaction.org.uk/ for more information.
Contact: Simon Bateson 0131 553 6335 simon@takeoneaction.org.uk
