Easter Rising filming gets underway

Filming for a new movie about the Easter Rising will finally get under way in Ireland in April 2010. The drama ‘Easter Sixteen’ will star Gary Oldman as James Connolly and Guy Pearce, who starred in LA Confidential, as Padraig Pearse.

Work on the new $25 million (Stg15m) drama had been delayed on a number of occasions in recent years.

The film marks the directorial debut of Irish actor Jason Barry, best known for his role in the movie Titanic.

Based on the pivotal events in Irish history, the film tells the story of an unlikely group of revolutionaries, with little in common beyond their determination to fight for a united Ireland.

English actor Ian Hart has been lined up to play Thomas Clarke while Jason Barry will also appear in the film as Roger Casement.

Shooting for the movie is expected to take 10 weeks in Ireland but the location of filming is being kept a closely guarded secret.

The film, which has been written by Irish author Brendan Foley, has already caused controversy with producer Nicola Charles rejecting criticism that the script will “romanticise terrorism”.

“It’s a film that has to be made and Foley has spent 14 years working on the script”, she said.

“The film is really the prequel to Michael Collins.

“Our final scene is their opening scene.

“It’s a human interest story and in no way does it glorify violence.

“It’s not about violence and revolution, it’s about hope and heroism.”

It is understood to be one of six film scripts about the Easter Rising set to hit movie screens in the run up to centenary celebrations in 2016.

A musical based on the Easter Rising is also in production in London, while a musical about the life of Michael Collins opened in Cork earlier this year.

Urgent Appeal