Katrina Costello – The Silver Branch #FilmFleadh2017

July 23, 2017

Katrina Costello - The Silver Branch #FilmFleadh2017 fredfilmradio

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PODCAST | Matt Micucci interviews Katrina Costello, director of the film The Silver Branch.

Director Katrina Costello talks about The Silver Branch, her feature debut, which had its world premiere at the 29th Galway Film Fleadh. The film is a poetic documentary inspired by the wild landscape of the Burren in County Clare, Ireland. It is also driven by the words and presence of Patrick McCormack, a farmer and poet who has lived off the Burren like his descendants. Costello talks about the experience of making her first feature and what prompted it to make it about the Burren. She also discusses the aspects of her filmmaking journey through the movie, from the cinematography to the editing process, and shares with us her thoughts on the deeper themes concealed in The Silver Branch.

The Silver Branch is a philosophical vision-poem on the life of farmer/poet Patrick McCormack, descendant of the generations of farmers who have lived off the wild landscape of the Burren in County Clare. Patrick and his rural community are drawn into a divisive battle with the Government, leading him and a small group of friends to the Supreme Court to decide on the fate of this iconic wilderness. Through Patrick’s eyes, and in his words, this beautifully shot film immerses us in the exquisite texture of the natural world, bringing us a rare glimpse of a disappearing way of life with all its richness and roguery, and leading to a deep connection with the Earth and our ancestral wild spirit. And though it is centred around one man’s life and a bitter-sweet end-of-era evocation, it explores much deeper themes: the relationship between man and landscape, between tradition and spirit, between body and soul. The Silver Branch is a story of hope – hope that we as individuals can make a difference to our universe.

For the official website of the festival, click here.

Written by: fredfilmradio

Katrina Costello Matt Micucci The Silver Branch