Film banned for 35 years coming to a screen soon
Sunday August 13 2006
A FILM banned in Ireland for more than 35 years will finally be seen by Irish audiencesafter being cleared by thecensor.
Paddy, the film version of the play Goodbye to the Hill by controversial writer Lee Dunne, was banned in 1970 because of its sexual frankness and has never been legitimately screened here.
But it has now been issued a certificate by the Film Censor, John Kelleher, who lifted the decades-long ban, and is set to have its Irish premiere next month.
And in a reflection of how archaic the original ban was, Paddy has been given a 12A rating.
Mr Kelleher said: "By today's standards, there is nothing shocking in it. It is charmingly old-fashioned. But you have to remember it was banned in a different era, a very different time.
"It was very satisfactoryto lift the ban and bring this part of Irish culture to Irish audiences."
The Film Censor officially removed the ban on August 1.
Paddy stars Abbey actor Des Cave as an "Irish Alfie" who lives with his mother, sister and brothers and spends most of his time seducing a succession of women around Dublin and hanging out in the famous Mulligan's pub in Poolbeg Street, Dublin, with his reprobate friend, played by Milo O'Shea.
The Irish Film Archive - part of the Irish Film Institute - acquired a copy of the film from America last year for its collection.
It then submitted the production to the Film Censor requesting certification.
Paddy will be given its Irish premiere on Wednesday, September 13, at the Irish Film Institute in Temple Bar.
Lee Dunne will introduce the screening and will sign copies of his republished novel Goodbye to the Hill at the IFI bookshop.
Lee Dunne, 71, a Dublin man who has been described as Europe's most banned author, has had seven films and two books banned.
He has previously said: "I've been Ireland's most banned writer for three decades or more. In this country the Rosary gets in everywhere."
Goodbye to the Hill is Ireland's longest-running play. The book of the play has sold one million copies.
