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BBC Sets New Irish-Language Comedy Film ‘Baile,’ Starring Marion O’Dwyer and Hazel Doupe (EXCLUSIVE)
Production has begun on “Baile”, an Irish-language comedy drama co-commissioned by BBC Gaeilge and TG4. Starring Marion O’Dwyer and Hazel Doupe, the film follows an unlikely friendship between Bríghid, an independent woman in the early stages of dementia, and Naomi, a young cleaner who drives her from Belfast to Donegal. The project matters as the third feature commissioned through the Gealán scheme, supporting original Irish-language cinema.
The road-trip film is being produced by Belfast-based Village Films and filmed across Northern Ireland and County Donegal. It explores memory, independence, friendship and the meaning of home, with Aideen Hand producing and directing, Paul Kennedy co-directing, and Cristina Carty writing the screenplay. The film is backed by Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund and is intended for audiences on BBC Northern Ireland, BBC iPlayer and TG4.
In short
- Production begins on a new Irish-language road-trip comedy drama.
- Marion O’Dwyer and Hazel Doupe lead the cast.
- It is the third film supported by the Gealán initiative.
Explained simply
Irish is spoken across Ireland, and broadcasters such as BBC Gaeilge and TG4 make programmes for Irish-speaking audiences. Films in the language can also reach viewers who do not speak Irish through subtitles and broadcast platforms.
The story centres on Bríghid, who is beginning to experience dementia, and Naomi, a young cleaner who drives her from Belfast to Donegal. Their journey brings together questions of memory, independence, friendship and what makes a place feel like home.
Baile is part of Gealán, a scheme that supports original Irish-language feature films. It is the third feature commissioned through the scheme, which is backed by Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund.
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