KFF presents MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS

With the Oscars just over and a hugely successful screening for Active Retired Groups and Individuals in January, Kerry Film Festival and Siamsa Tire have partnered to bring a wonderful double Oscar nominated film to the big screen in Tralee. The screening of MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS will take place in Siamsa Tire on Thursday, March 5th at 2:00 pm and is absolutely free to everyone over the age of 65.

"We screened Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps last month to a rapturous crowd. Everyone that came seemed to love the movie but I think they really enjoyed the social aspect of the afternoon too," said Jason O' Mahony, Kerry Film Festival Director. The Festival offers free refreshments to the film fans before each screening.

"I haven't been to the cinema in years. It's hard to know what to see. But I love old Hitchcock films and it was nice to see an old classic film like The 39 Steps on the big screen. We got a lovely warm welcome from everyone at Kerry Film Festival too. In fact I think we enjoyed the wee chat and cup of tea every bit as much as the film," said Mary Walsh, from Tralee, with a laugh.

Mrs. Henderson Presents is directed by Stephen Frears and was nominated for two Oscars. It stars Bob Hoskins and Judi Dench, in an Oscar nominated role, and was made in 2005. It tells the true life story of Laura Henderson who bought an old London theater and opened it up as the Windmill, a performance hall which has gone down in history for, among other things, its all-nude revues!

"It sounds a little racy but isn't at all," added Jason, "I'm sure that everyone that comes will have a great time."

And while many of the attendees are from the Tralee area organizers received a call from a gentleman from Dublin who saw a piece on the January screening in the Irish Times. Apparently he'll use his free travel-pass to come down by train for this one and head home again in the evening!

The final film of the series is Sidney Lumet's 1957 classic, 12 Angry Men, starring Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb and will screen in Siamsa on Thursday, April 9th at 2:00 pm. 12 Angry Men is consistently voted among the top ten films of all time and was nominated for 3 Oscars. Henry Fonda gives an absolutely riveting performance as a dissenting juror in a murder trial who slowly manages to convince the others that the case is not as obviously clear as it seemed in court.

All films will screen in Siamsa Tire at 2:00 pm. For more information please call Kerry Film Festival on 066 712 9934.

Samhlaiocht is supported through grant aid from The Arts Council, Kerry County Council, Failte Ireland and by the generous corporate sponsorship of Kerry Group.