** WINNER OF 'BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARD' AT UNDERGROUND CINEMA AWARDS
** NOMINATED FOR 'BEST DIRECTOR' AT FEEL GOOD FILM FESTIVAL (LA)
** NOMINATED FOR 'BEST ACTRESS' AT FEEL GOOD FILM FESTIVAL (LA)


HENRY & SUNNY TRAILER


Sunday, December 20, 2009

Happy Christmas from 'Henry & Sunny'!!!

'Henry & Sunny' poster designed by Paula McGloin.



'Henry & Sunny' trailer edited by Nick Callan.

Henry & Sunny from HenryandSunnyFilms on Vimeo.



Paulo Braganca as Henry and Dorothy Cotter as Sunny,
Make up by Gemma Horan.
Photograph by Anthony Edwards.

Lighthouse screening and 'We the People's' Film Festival...


It has been a very busy few weeks for 'Henry & Sunny'.

On Friday, November 27th 'Henry & Sunny' was screened at the 'We the People's' Film Festival at London Metropolitan University (our UK debut!).

http://www.wethepeoples.org.uk

And the following day saw a packed house at the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield for our first Dublin screening. Thanks to everyone who came along. It was a truly memorable day.

Since then we've been busy applying to festivals all over the world and we hope 2010 will see 'Henry & Sunny' find an even bigger audience.

The trailer for 'Henry & Sunny' has also been added to the Filmmakers Network channel on Vimeo. Drop by and have a look at some of the other films on there when you can.

http://vimeo.com/channels/fmn

Our next screening will be in February at "Culture & Abilities 2010". Full details to follow early in the new year.

We'll be updating the blog in early January with Parts 2 & 3 of Paulo Braganca's interview and there'll be a much anticipated interview with Dorothy Cotter as well. So keep an eye out for that!

Finally, thanks to everyone who's supported us in 2009, especially...

Totally Dublin
Crewger
Filmbase
Film Ireland
IFTN
Filmmakers Network
Jorge Mendes (faseberlinense.blogspot.com)

Happy Christmas and see you all in the new year!


'Totally Dublin'...


We'd like to say a belated thank you to Aoife O'Regan for her excellent feature on 'Henry & Sunny' in the December issue of 'Totally Dublin'.

'Totally Dublin' is freely available in various shops and cafes around the city (try Tower Records, Whelans or the IFI), so make sure you pick up a copy. In the meantime you can read Aoife's piece here. Page 26!



Check out www.totallydublin.ie for more details.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

WethePeoplesFilmFestivalNews

There has been a change of date and venue for Henry and Sunny's screening at We the People's Film Festival.

The film will now be shown on Friday, 27 November 2009, between 18:30 - 20:30 at London Metropolitan University (North Campus - Islington), Tower Building, The Henry Thomas Room (TG-30), 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB.

The Chair and Panel will be:

Chair: David Wardrop, Chairman, UNA Westminster Branch
Panelleists:
Mr Oliver Dickinson (former LMU student), Director of the Forgotten District
Mr Paul Kerr, Senior Lecturer, Media Studies/Mass Communications at DASS, LMU


Five short films, five different topics, followed by Q&A. Don’t Shoot is the official video for singer songwriter Kinzli’s anti gun crime song. The Forgotten District focuses on efforts by the Maya to promote ecotourism in order to protect their rainforest traditions. One UN film - Ethiopia: A Family in Crisis looks at a family in Ethiopia. Henry and Sunny, filmed in black and white, takes an alternative look at discrimination in a time of economic depression, mass unemployment and civil unrest. The Peace Olympics is an annual sporting festival in South Sudan where districts compete in sporting events and are brought together in a spirit of peace and friendship. The Q&A discussion will be chaired by David Wardrop, Chairman, UNA Westminster Branch.

Venue:
London Metropolitan University (North Campus - Islington) - Map
Tower Building, The Henry Thomas Room (TG-30),
166-220 Holloway Road
London N7 8DB
Tube: Holloway Road (Piccadilly Line) and Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line)

Sign-Up: This event is free of charge but you must complete the General Enquiries form to confirm that you will be attending the event. We need you to provide the names and affiliations (UN, student, organisations) of those (including guests) who will attend this screening.

http://www.wethepeoples.org.uk/contacts/general-enquiries/

Cost: Free (sign-up required in advance; see above paragraph)

Don’t Shoot
The official video for singer songwriter Kinzli’s anti gun crime song.
Polis Loizou
4mins

The Forgotten District
For the last 20 years the Maya in Belize have been promoting their own ecotourism programme in order to protect their rainforest and traditions.
Oliver Dickinson
52 mins

Ethiopia: A Family in Crisis
Life of Ayatu Nure has not turned out as he expected. Once a wealthy landowner, he followed the age-old tradition of his people and took more than one wife. In fact, he took many wives! This story takes us to Ethiopia to see the family they created.
UN Film: Executive in Charge Susan Farkas
8 mins 56 secs

Henry and Sunny
In a time of unprecedented economic depression, mass unemployment and civil unrest one group has borne the brunt of society’s scorn – the clowns. Henry & Sunny is the bittersweet tale of Henry and unemployed clown in love with the famous soap opera actress, Sunny Carmichael. Beautifully photographed in high contrast black and white Henry and Sunny is a melancholy tale of love against all odds.
Fergal Rock
15mins

The Peace Olympics
The twic Olympics is an annual sporting festival in South Sudan. It pits Twic county’s six districts against each other for sporting glory but more importantly brings them together in a spirit of peace and friendship.
Dylan Howitt
12mins

Sunday, November 8, 2009

'Henry & Sunny' Press Pack now online...


'Henry & Sunny' Press Pack (PDF) now available for download. Contains log-line, synopsis, bios, filmographies, production stills and full cast & crew listing.

DOWNLOAD FILE

Friday, November 6, 2009

Henry & Sunny & Donny Hathaway...

Cast & Crew screening in Lighthouse Cinema...


There will be a long overdude cast & crew screening of 'Henry & Sunny' in the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield on Saturday, November 28th at 1.30pm.

Unfortunately seating is limited so if you'd like to attend please RSVP to henryandsunnyfilms@gmail.com ASAP!

Thanks to everyone who's supported 'Henry & Sunny' up to now.

We hope to see you all there!

Monday, November 2, 2009

'Henry & Sunny' to screen at London Film Festival....


After a very successful screening at the Clones Film Festival, we are delighted to announce that 'Henry & Sunny' will next screen at the We The Peoples Film Festival in London.

This year's festival, which will be held at various London venues on 19 November 2009 and from 23-30 November 2009 will feature contributions from development agencies, UN agencies, international filmmakers, policy makers and think tanks. The We the Peoples 2009 Film Festival is an unmissable event for those working or interested in the work of the United Nations and international development, as well as the general public.

'Henry & Sunny' will be screened on Saturday, November 28th at 4.30pm. For full details see programme.



Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Production stills by Niamh Russell-Conway.. #3





Production stills by Niamh Russell-Conway.. #2





Production stills by Niamh Russell-Conway.. #1





Clowns in Clones....


A big thank you to everyone at the Clones Film Festival where 'Henry & Sunny' screened as part of the short fiction competition on Sunday (October 25).

The Judges voted 'Henry & Sunny' one of their top three films in the competition and were particularly impressed with the film's story, concept & design!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Henry & Sunny publicity...


You can click on the links below to read posts about Henry & Sunny's upcoming screening at the Clones Film Festival. A big thank you to Filmbase, IFTN and Crewger.

Filmbase

IFTN

Crewger.ie



Sam Jackson Music on MySpace....


The original score for 'Henry & Sunny' was composed and performed by Sam Jackson. You can contact Sam and listen to samples of his work via his MySpace page

A classically trained pianist, Sam Jackson has been playing music for over twenty years. He frequently works with Tony Award winning director, Garry Hynes (Druid Theatre) and tours as keyboard player for Moya Brennan of Clannad. His critically acclaimed compositional work has featured in major productions around the world from Broadway to London, Tokyo and Ireland. As a performer, he has appeared on several albums and played across most of Europe, Canada and the USA.

His compositions feature classical, jazz, contemporary & traditional music, new technology and electronica. He regularly works with musicians from all disciplines and has produced critically acclaimed music for theatre, documentary, film and Performance Art. While studying in Dublin he was winner of the Walton memorial ensemble prize 2001 with Eilis Keogh, The Walton Memorial Scholarship that same year and the Roland Piano Prize 1999. He has received a FETAC in Music Technology and his work was part of the Irish National Exhibition for The Prague Quadrennial Exhibition of Sceneography 2007.

Theatre includes: La Dispute by Pierre Marivaux (Peacock Theatre) directed by Wayne Jordan, Leaves by Lucy Caldwell (Druid Theatre and The Royal Court, London). The Playboy of the Western World, Tokyo International Arts Festival. Translations (McCarter Theatre and Biltmore Theatre -Broadway), Empress of India by Stuart Carloan, (Galway & Abbey Theatre), The Year of the Hiker (National Tour), DruidSynge (Galway Arts Festival, Dublin, Edinburgh International Festival and Inis Meáin 2005; Minneapolis & Lincoln Center Festival New York 2006), The Playboy of the Western World (Perth, Australia tour 2005), The Tinker's Wedding, The Well of the Saints – All for Druid Theatre Company -directed by Garry Hynes. The Magic Tree by Ursula Rani Sarma (National tour, Edinburgh & Dublin Fringe 2008) The Waiting (Kilkenny) & Horae (Galway Project 06) by Susie Lamb, The Yokohama Delegation, Lizzie Lavelle & the Vanishing of Emlyclough for The Performance Corporation & Kilkenny Arts Festival, A Midsummer Nights Dream and Twelfth Night (Dublin Fringe for Natural Shocks Theatre Co.), The Murder Ballads (Killkenny Arts Festival), Boy Gets Girl (Civic Theatre), Entertainment (Bedrock Theatre company).

Film & Television: Henry and Sunny (directed by Fergal Rock), DruidSynge the Complete DVD (Wildfire Films, RTÉ – dir. Ronan Fox) Mighty Talk (Wildfire Films & RTÉ dir. Ronan Fox), The Playboy of the Western World –(Wildfire Films, directors Garry Hynes / Ronan Fox), War and Peace – The Musical, (dir. Jo Mangan), Today's Holy Land, (directed by Tim Hood).

'Sam Jackson's episodic music is gorgeous' – Irish Examiner (DruidSynge)

'Original music performed by Sam Jackson with a delicate touch and a dower expression was a highlight' -The Sunday Business Post (12th Night)

'The eerie dream-nightmare music composed and excellently performed live by Sam Jackson perfectly caught the mood'- Irish Theatre Magazine, winter 01 vl.2 no.1 (A Midsummer Nights Dream)

'Every aspect of this production is faultless - Sam Jackson's original score…' - Irish Independent (Empress of India)

'The artistic ingredients that went into the collaborative event that was the Murder Ballads always meant it was going to be one of the most interesting shows at this years Killkenny Arts Festival' -The SundayTribune.

Monday, October 12, 2009

'Henry & Paulo'...



Paulo Braganca interview coming soon...

Clones Film Festival...


We are delighted to announce that 'Henry & Sunny' will screen as part of the short film competition at this year's Clones Film Festival. The competition screening will be on Sunday 25th at 3.30 to about 5.30 in the Lennard Arms Hotel in Clones.

This will be Henry & Sunny's second outing in Monaghan after the recent Flat Lake Literary & Arts Festival.

You can view the full list of finalists to be screened here.

www.clonesfilmfestival.com/

Friday, September 18, 2009

Henry & Sunny Production stills...

 
Some stills from the Henry & Sunny shoot. More to follow.
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Henry & Sunny poster....



Henry & Sunny poster and DVD cover designed by Paula McGloin.

View samples of her work here

Monday, September 14, 2009

Henry & Sunny Trailer....

Henry & Sunny Trailer (Edited by Nick Callan)



The trailer is also viewable on YouTube and IMDb

Monday, August 31, 2009

Darklight Festival....


The lovely people at Darklight were kind enough to sponsor some fantastic prizes at the recent Henry & Sunny Fundraiser. If you'd like to be involved in this year's Darklight festival, see below...

The 2009 Darklight Festival is fast approaching and this year promises another exciting and innovative film program.

Once again we are seeking a team of motivated and passionate volunteers to help bring the festival to life!

Based in the heart of Dublin city, the festival runs from October 8-10 with a variety of positions available, including ushers, runners, and general techy folk. Volunteering is the ideal opportunity to meet people, gain experience in the film industry, enhance your CV and immerse yourself in the festival program!

If you would like to get involved, please contact Sinead via email: sinead (at) darklight (dot) ie or telephone: +353 1 6717828, specifying your availability and any experience/skills you can bring to the festival.

Come on board and join us to celebrate Darklight's 10th anniversary!

For more information about the festival, visit www.darklight.ie

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Tom Waits Made Me Cry (short film)...



In 2004, Fergal Rock wrote & directed the RTE/Filmbase funded short film Tom Waits Made Me Cry.

A dystopian film noir, Tom Waits Made Me Cry is the story of Vincent Martin Levine, a man crippled by apathy, in a Celebrity-governed society. Following his employer's murder at the hands of the Celebrity Government, Vincent begins his search for passion, a search that leads him through Star Wars via Tom Waits to his eventual destiny.

Screenings
Tom Waits Made Me Cry stars Nick Lee, Steve Gunn and Ronan Wilmot and screened at the Kerry Film Festival, Ireland (October 2004), Dublin International Film Festival, Ireland (February 2005), Mid-Ulster Film Festival, Ireland (May 2005)and was screened on Irish television as part of the RTE/Shortscreen series.



Eleventyfour news....



The Winding Stair Bookshop, Monday, 24 August, 7.30pm, €5.

The ever wonderful Eleventyfour plays The Winding Stair Bookshop with the equally excellent Peter Delaney

Shebeen Chic, Wednesday, 26 August, 21:00 - 23:55, Free

Eleventyfour will also be playing as part of the Brown Bread Mixtape#2 on Wednesday in Shebeen chic on Georges St

Inglourious Basterds...


Writer Fergal Rock reviews Inglourious Basterds for The Mayo News

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Henry & Sunny premiers at Flat Lake Festival!!!!



We are delighted to announce that Henry & Sunny was screened as part of the short film programme at this year's Flat Lake Literary & Arts Festival in Monaghan....

www.theflatlakefestival.com/

Paulo Braganca stars as Henry....


Paulo Braganca is a fado singer from Portugal, formerly signed to David Byrne's Luaka Bop label. He also starred as Lino, the Young Priest in João Botelho's award-winning Tráfico

You can listen to his music
here

and read his bio
here

Eleventyfour....



''...cute as a button Kimya Dawson-like songs..." Jim Carroll - The Irish Times 19th June '09

Dorothy Cotter performs music under the name Eleventyfour.

Befriend her on MySpace for updates on upcoming gigs!!!
www.myspace.com/eleventyfour

Dorothy Cotter stars as Sunny Carmichael.....



Dorothy Cotter graduated from the Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin in 2002

FILM: A Kiss For Jed Wood, The Eclipse, The Euthanizer, Henry and Sunny

TV: Bel’s Boys (ITV/Endemol), currently airing on the Disney Channel across Europe. Other TV work includes The Tudors, The Clinic and Fair City

RADIO: Veronica Coburn’s radio plays Mayday, Survivor and Rachel Wouldn’t Do That (RTE Radio)

THEATRE:
The Nativity…What The Donkey Saw - Mill Theatre
A Midsummer Night’s Dream-National Concert Hall
Danti-Dan - National tour
Fireworks - Bewleys Cafe Theatre
An Tríail - National tour
Liliom - SS Michael and John
Anraith Neantóige - National tour
Bolt Upright - Players, TCD
Hansel & Gretel - Civic Theatre
The BFG - Civic Theatre
The Leaving - National tour
Little Victories - National tour
Requiem For Lena - Project Arts Centre
Eclipsed - Cork Arts Theatre
Dr Faustus Everyman Palace, Cork and SFX
Playboy Of the Western World - National tour
Blue - Half Moon Theatre, Cork
Philadelphia Here I Come - Everyman Palace

Henry & Sunny Make-Up Artist Gemma Horan.....



Gemma Horan is a fully qualified, professional & trustworthy make up artist who set up Forget Me Not Make Up© in early 2008. She prides herself on giving clients original, inspired and imaginative work enabling them to get the utmost from their specified brief.

She obtained her ITEC Diploma in Fashion, Theatre & Media Make Up with The Make Up Room, Dublin 2 and continually updates her expertise and portfolio of work with projects varying from hit theatre productions, music videos, films, poverty awareness promotions and many editorial and artistic photo shoots.

Gemma provides freelance make up artistry for Special Effects & Prosthesis, Model Portfolios, Occasion, Make-over, Fancy Dress, Drag, Theatre, Film, Fashion, Media & Editorial. Other qualifications include: Airbrushing, HD Make Up & Editorial Hairstyling.

Most recent work: 'Freak Show - Snake Woman' with Photographer Carl Farmer of Red Tree Studio

Portfolio viewing and references available on request.
http://www.forgetmenotmakeup.ie/

Cast & Crew credits....


cast

Paulo Bragança as Henry
Dorothy Cotter as Sunny
Gavin Prior as Augustus
Sam Jackson as Stan
Dan O'Sullivan as Felix
Tony Leddy as Larry Fortune
Frank Mackey as Newsreader
Matthew Keenan as Brad Michaels

Noni Stapleton as Waitress Clown
Terry Russell as Librarian Clown
Paul Kiernan as Boom-Op Clown
Daniel Joyce as Biggish Shoes Clown

Unemployed Clowns
Sean Brady, Orla Delaney, Orla Maher, Eimear O'Reilly, Dermot Quinn, Colin Russell-Conway, Fergus Russell-Conway, Barbara Wood.

TV Studio Crew
Neal Cromien, Jim Gleeson, Stewart Lambert, Dermot Quinn, Chris Roufs.

crew

Written & Directed by
Fergal Rock


Produced by
Orla Russell-Conway


Director of Photography/Camera Operator: Orla Russell-Conway
2nd Unit DoP/Camera: Anthony Edwards
Stills Photographers: Anthony Edwards
Niamh Russell-Conway
Boom Operator: Dermot Quinn
Make-up Artist/Hair: Gemma Horan
Edited by: Nick Callan
Sound Editor: Mark Henry
Original Score composed by Sam Jackson
Additional original music by Gavin Prior


henry and sunny, 2009

Bio and Filmography for producer/DOP Orla Russell-Conway...



Orla Russell-Conway is the Producer and D.O.P. of Henry & Sunny.

Orla studied English literature & Geography for her Primary BA from UCD, graduating in 1998. She then went on to graduate with first class honours MA in Film (Theory & Production) from DIT in 2002.

With numerous film and television credits to her name, primarily in camera and cinematography, including Director of Photography on the multi-award winning short film “Full Circle”, she has a strong background in film production.

She has worked for both the Miller Dublin Film Festival and the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival for over 9 years, Orla has proven her skills not only in a filmmaking environment, but also in film exhibition and event management.

Orla founded and ran Dublin’s first ever regular short film screening series, Sunday Ghetto in 1999. In January 2006 she re-established Sunday Ghetto and ran a series of short-film screenings on a monthly basis throughout 2006, culminating in a high-profile grand final in December 2006, at which the Sunday Ghetto short film award for 2006 was adjudicated and awarded by a panel of filmmakers and industry professionals.

She has also recently worked with South Dublin County Council teaching filmmaking to several different community groups in Tallaght and South Dublin (2007 – 2009).

Orla’s talents as a gifted cinematographer and artist were recently recognized in her being awarded a substantial grant by the Arts & Disability Forum (an Arts Council of Ireland/Northern Ireland Arts Council joint-funded body), for the purchase of her own camera kit for the production of her own film projects. The first of these projects is Henry & Sunny made in collaboration with Writer/Director Fergal Rock.

filmography

“Henry and Sunny”, May 2009, (short), Henry & Sunny Films
Role: Producer & Director of Photography

“Johnny Splitz”, September 2008, (short), Killenarden Community School
Role: Creative & Technical Consultant

“Lovesick”, September 2004, (Short). Project Norma, Screenwriters Ink., Belfast,
Role: Co Director of Photography

“Foreign Exchange”, July 2004, (T.V. Series). Magma Films, Galway
Role: Camera Trainee

“Tom Waits Made Me Cry” , 2003, (Short). BigBad Films,100 Littlepace Woods,
Role: Gaffer

“Bodyblow” , 2002, (Short). Schipa Films Ltd., 24 Lanesville, Monkstown, Co. Dublin
Role: Camera trainee

“Read, Write Now”, 2001-2, (Educational series). AV Edge, St. Augustine St., D. 8.
Role: Camera assistant

“Full Circle”, 2002, (Short). Media Production Unit, DIT, Aungier St., D. 2.
(Winner of the Jameson award for Best Irish Short, Cork Film Fest., 2003, Special Jury Prize and Best Actress Awards at The Cherbourg Irish & British Film Fest., 2003, The Orange and Kodak Award for Best Short Film at the Belfast Film Fest. 2004.)
Role: Director of Photography + Camera Operator

“The Greenhorn” 2002, (Short). Media Production Unit, DIT, Aungier St., D. 2.
Role: Post-Production Sound Editor + Gaffer

“Lost And Found” 2002, (Short). Media Production Unit, DIT, Aungier St., D. 2.
Role: Camera Operator + Post-Production Sound Editor

“Time Again” 2002, (Short). Media Production Unit, DIT, Aungier St., D. 2.
Role: Gaffer + Locations Assistant

“Boarderline” 2002, (Short). Media Production Unit, DIT, Aungier St., D. 2.
Role: Producer

“A Man Of Few Words” 1999, (Short). Igloo Films, 11 Lr. Fitzwilliam St., D. 2.
Role: Production Co-ordinator

Bio and Filmography for writer/director Fergal Rock...



Fergal graduated from University of Limerick in 1999 with a BA in English Literature and Media & Communication Studies. In his final year Fergal directed and edited the short documentary Animal Attraction and wrote his thesis on the independent filmmaker Hal Hartley as auteur. He also hosted a weekly music show on college radio station, Wired Fm. Fergal spent a year in Italy on the Erasmus programme where he studied English Literature and International Cinema at the Università degli Studi di Firenze.

Fergal continued his education at D.I.T. and graduated with an honours MA in Film (Theory & Production) in 2002. There he wrote and directed the short film Homeless Blues and worked on a number of other projects in a variety of roles including cinematographer, editor, and production designer. Fergal was both sound recordist and sound designer on the award winning Full Circle. His thesis examined the relationship between structure and narrative in the films of Nicolas Roeg.

Since graduating from D.I.T. Fergal has studied 'The Fundamentals of Story Analysis for Film' and 'The Fundamentals of Scene Analysis for Film' through Screen Training Ireland (FETAC & UCLA) and the 'Robert Towne Screenwriting Masterclass' through Screen Training Ireland and the Galway Film Centre.

In 2004 Fergal wrote and directed the RTE/Filmbase short film, “Tom Waits Made Me Cry”. The film screened at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, Kerry Film Festival, Mid-Ulster Film Festival, and was shown on RTE as part of the Shortscreen series.

Fergal was recently shortlisted for the Irish Film Board’s Virtual Cinema scheme. He is currently developing a number of screenplays for film and television.

His latest film, made in collaboration with Producer/DOP Orla Russell-Conway, is Henry & Sunny, the melancholic tale of an unemployed clown in love with a beautiful soap opera actress.

bio [50 words]

In 2004 Fergal wrote and directed the RTE/Filmbase short film, “Tom Waits Made Me Cry”. The film screened at the Kerry Film Festival, Mid-Ulster Film Festival, Jameson Dublin International Film Festival and on RTE as part of the Shortscreen series. Fergal is currently developing screenplays for both film and television.

filmography

director

• Henry & Sunny (2009), Short film.
www.myspace.com/henryandsunny
• Tom Waits Made Me Cry (2004), Filmbase/RTE Award, short film.
www.myspace.com/tomwaitsmademecry
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822037/
• Homeless Blues (2001), D.I.T. Short film.

writer

• Henry & Sunny (2009), Short film.
www.myspace.com/henryandsunny
• Tom Waits Made Me Cry (2004), Filmbase/RTE Award, short film.
www.myspace.com/tomwaitsmademecry
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822037/
• Homeless Blues (2001), D.I.T. Short film.

Fergal is currently writing a number of screenplays for film and television.

Become a friend of Henry & Sunny on MySpace!



http://www.myspace.com/henryandsunny

Henry & Sunny imdb page....


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1490688/maindetails

Henry & Sunny log-line and synopsis...


log-line:

Henry, an unemployed clown falls in love with Sunny, a famous soap opera actress. Can true love prevail against all odds?



Henry & Sunny short synopsis [45 words.]


Henry, an unemployed clown, is in love with the famous soap opera actress, Sunny Carmichael. He writes her letters daily yet fear of rejection prevents him from disclosing his return address. Sunny, stifled by showbiz, reciprocates Henry’s feelings but is tragically unable to reach him.



Henry & Sunny long synopsis [100 words.]

In a time of unprecedented economic depression, mass unemployment and civil unrest, one group has borne the brunt of society’s scorn – the clowns. Henry & Sunny is the bittersweet tale of Henry, an unemployed clown, in love with the famous soap opera actress, Sunny Carmichael. He writes her letters daily yet fear of rejection prevents him from disclosing his return address. Sunny, stifled by a sycophantic showbiz world, reciprocates Henry’s feelings but is tragically unable to reach him. Beautifully photographed in high contrast black & white, Henry & Sunny is a melancholy tale of true love against all odds.

a brief note about henry & sunny…




Henry & Sunny is a bittersweet love story about an unemployed clown called Henry who falls in love with a famous soap opera actress by the name of Sunny Carmichael. He writes her letters daily yet fear of rejection prevents him from disclosing his return address. Sunny reciprocates these feelings but is tragically unable to reach him. The film is set in a time of mass unemployment and recession where clowns have become the scapegoat for all of societies problems and so Henry's story becomes doubly tragic.



Henry & Sunny has become something of a labour of love. I wrote the script in 2002 whilst undertaking the MA in Film (Theory & Production) in D.I.T. and submitted it to numerous script award schemes over the years. The script was shortlisted for a Filmbase Award in 2005 but sadly didn't make the final three. In February last year my friend and colleague Orla Russell-Conway was awarded a disability grant from the Arts Council to fund her own camera kit under the provision that she make a short film. We decided to make Henry & Sunny.



We had no budget but we both loved the story and so we simply threw ourselves into it. Since then we've been lucky enough to work with a terrific bunch of people who feel just as strongly about the story as we do and so the Henry & Sunny family has grown to include Paulo Braganca, the Portuguese fado singer formerly signed to David Byrne's record label, Dorothy Cotter, an amazingly gifted actress and musician, the editor Nick Callan, composer Sam Jackson, and make-up artist Gemma Horan to name but a few. For a script that was written seven years ago the recession and the ensuing scramble to pin the blame on someone has left the film remarkably current. Indeed from the moment we decided to make this film the stars seem to have aligned themselves in our favour. We hope you enjoy watching it. We certainly enjoyed making it.



Fergal Rock,



Writer & Director