IRISH MUSIC
ON SCREEN
Saturday 16th March
BABYLON, Berlin
Showcasing the best of Irish contemporary music on screen
Join us on St. Patrick’s Eve in Berlin as we celebrate the best of Irish contemporary music on screen throughout the day and into the night!
Our special curation of films strikes just the right note ahead of St Patrick’s Day; honouring Irish music icons Sinéad O’Connor and Shane MacGowan, hosting the German premiere of The Camino Voyage and exploring the rich musical landscape of Dublin’s North Inner City.
This event is part of the Zeitgeist Irland 24 programme of cultural events in Germany.
14:00 | Saturday
NORTH CIRCULAR
A musical trip through Dublin’s North Inner City
North Circular is a documentary musical that travels the length of Dublin's North Circular Road, from the Phoenix Park to Dublin Port, exploring the history, music and streetscapes of a street that links some of the country's most beloved and infamous places.
Told in black and white 4:3 Academy ratio, the film evokes many narratives from the history of the city and nation, from colonialism, to mental health, to the struggle for women’s liberation while also engaging with urgent issues of today, including the battle to save the legendary Cobblestone Pub, centre of Dublin’s recent folk revival, from destruction at the hands of cynical property developers.
The film also includes musical performances from artists local to the North Circular, including John Francis Flynn, Séan Ó Túama, Eoghan O'Ceannabháin, Ian Lynch & Gemma Dunleavy.
Director | Luke McManus
Running Time | 1hr 25mins
Genre | Documentary Release 2023
Language | English with German Subtitles
16:00 | Saturday
The Camino Voyage
An Epic 2,600km Modern Day Celtic Odyssey
German Premiere
A crew including a Writer, two Musicians, an Artist and a Stonemason embark on the Camino by sea in a traditional boat that they built themselves, on an inspiring and dangerous 2,500 km modern Day Celtic odyssey all the way from Ireland to Northern Spain.
Featuring Oscar-Winning musician Glen Hansard, renowned Irish musician Brendan Begley, distinguished artist Liam Holden, skilled stonemason Brendan Moriarty and celebrated writer and poet Danny Sheehy (1951-2017).
The film includes inspiring music from Glen Hansard, Brendan Begley and Liam Holden! (who also happens to be a great bodhrán player!). Enroute, the crew also meets some wonderful musicians to share music and songs from their own traditions and speak beautiful Irish.
Director | Dónal Ó Céilleachair
Running Time | 1 hr 35 mins
Genre | Documentary. Release 2017
Language | Irish with English Subtitles
18:00 | Saturday
Shane
A deep dive into the life of the legendary Irish singer, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of The Pogues, who famously combined traditional Irish music with the visceral energy of punk rock. Featuring unseen archival footage from the band and MacGowan's family, as well as animation from legendary illustrator Ralph Steadman, Julien Temple's love letter spotlights the iconic frontman up to his 60th birthday celebration, where singers, movie stars and rock 'n' roll outlaws gather to celebrate the man and his legacy.
Director | Julien Temple
Running Time | 2hrs 4 mins
Genre | Documentary. Release 2020
Language | English with German Subtitles
20:30 | Saturday
Nothing Compares
At the peak of Sinéad O’Connor’s rise to worldwide fame her iconoclastic actions resulted in her exile from the pop mainstream. Focusing on her prophetic words and deeds from 1987-1993, the film reflects on the legacy of this fearless trailblazer through a contemporary feminist lens. This archive-led documentary features era-defining music videos and concert performances alongside a range of contributions from friends and fellow artists and a wealth of previously unseen footage conjuring a vivid reminder of life in Ireland at this time. The film is underpinned by an interview with Sinéad herself, in which she reflects on her early career, her visibility and her vulnerability as a radical young woman on the world stage.
Director | Kathryn Ferguson
Running Time | 1hr 37mins
Genre | Documentary. Release 2022
Language | English
About the Venue
Babylon opened in 1929 at the height of the golden age of Weimar cinema and like the city itself—has been reborn many times. It is now a cultural hub featuring silent films with live music performances, late night video art performances and talks with German and international writers.
Location | Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 30, Berlin.